NBA Playoffs

[specialK]

dallas dodged a bullet with lakers getting 5th seed, but it's still a tough road for them. i see the west taking it this year. lakers or kings. (or god willing, the mavericks. :D )

[d-boy]

my bet would be on the Lakers or the Spurs......

[achtungbaby]

Lakers!

[Hiroshi2]

Screw the lakers........kings vs spurs in the western conference finals. right now too close to call as far as who'll win that. I don't really care who'll win in the east (though personally the celtics are my favorite team in the east) no team in the East has a real chance at any of those two teams (or even the lakers).

[tommyhtown]

Anyone but the Lakers.

[achtungbaby]

Haters, haters...all of you.

[ism]

Gotta represent... Nets. =)

Okay, longshot, but you gotta hope.

[Hiroshi2]

Originally posted by ism@Apr 19 2003, 10:56 AM
Gotta represent... Nets. =)

Okay, longshot, but you gotta hope.
99% that they won't win the finals, but they sure are making the Bucks look bad right now.

[deez nuts]

the bigger question isn't who's gonna win the championship this year, but which team is gonna land the man-child lebron james.

[specialK]

ever play that nba lottery flash simulation they have at espn.com? it's pretty funny.

[MellowDrama]

Spurs, Pacers lose their Game 1s against Boston and Suns, respectively. The Playoffs have begun early this year! :lol:

The Marbury 3 at the buzzer to beat the Spurs in OT was great! :P

[d-boy]

I'm worried about the Spurs now..... Phoenix also played them well in the regular season.

[Hiroshi2]

Damn I missed some great games today.......the Bucks got their arses whupped, it was bad for them from the start........all I can say about the Boston vs Indiana game is go Celtics!!!..........and I was suprised by the Phoenix-San Antonio game too. If I recall correctly the last time a number 8 seed beat a number 1 seed in the playoffs was back in 1996 when the Sonics took out the Rockets, and Seattle went on to lose to the Bulls in the Finals that year..........I don't think this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the series though, actually I predict Spurs to win it 3-2.

[mrazntre]

LAKERS will kill ALL

[lethal]

Sixers!

Iverson with 55. Unstoppable.

[d-boy]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Apr 19 2003, 10:59 AM
the bigger question isn't who's gonna win the championship this year, but which team is gonna land the man-child lebron james.
does anyone else think Lebron is over-hyped and wont make an impact next year?

i think that Darko kid from Europe, and that current Syracuse freshman (if he declares for the draft), will do much better.

[Hiroshi2]

Originally posted by dzoo@Apr 21 2003, 10:27 AM
does anyone else think Lebron is over-hyped and wont make an impact next year?

i think that Darko kid from Europe, and that current Syracuse freshman (if he declares for the draft), will do much better.

@ Chasiubuao Boy: Well, personally, I think that if you make the jump from HS to the NBA, you better be damn good. I mean the best thing to happen to the NBA since the 3-point line. And I think LeBron James has what it takes. Have you seen clips of this guy play? If Kobe can come out and have a successful career out of HS, then Lebron can. (though I do think that a year or two of college wouldn't hurt, unless he got hurt). Lebron's doing shit Kobe couldn't do until his second or third year in the NBA. So if he wants to make the jump go ahead.

As for Carmello Anthony, I think he's ready. He's had a year of college. He won a national championship with SU. He's ready to go.

Darko's pretty good. He could become another Dirk Nowitzki. He's predicted to be the second overall draft pick.

[FlareZz]

lebron james over hyped? have you ever seen one of his games? the guy did a btw the leg dunk like kobe, cept it was in-game. did you see his high school slam dunk contest? sure he didn't try to do any spectacular, but everytime he jumped he was looking down at the rim.

no i don't know how far his talents will develop, but if we base it just on his coming out party, the guy overshadows Kobe and Garnet by far.

[DonDaBomb2]

Lebron will become a huge superstar, but I think it'll take a little time for him to make the adjustment the first year. Take Kobe for example. Kobe only averaged 7 in his first year, and 15 his second year. I think the expectations for Lebron will be too high for the first season, especially with everyone gunning for him. He'll become very good, but I think he'll struggle at first. It's not like it's gonna be a cakewalk. What's it gonna be like for him to take on McGrady and Paul Pierce on a back to back, or go on a West Coast road trip and take on Kobe and Ray Allen, with all these guys trying to show up the upstart?

I wouldn't be surprised if Carmello has the better rookie year. That guy is definitely ready for the NBA.

[MellowDrama]

LeBron will get his points, but I doubt he'll get many wins. On the defensive end, he'll get broken down time and time again. Mark my words.

[FlareZz]

lets see what team he gets on, remember in jordan's rookie year, he avged 28 points a game, 6 assists, almost 7 rebounds, and shot over 50%, but the bulls weren't a winning team yet. so yeah of course he needs his time to develop his team game and he will need some help. but on a 1v1 comparison between kobe and garnet and mcgrady at the time when they first came out of high school. Lebron is much much better.

[FlareZz]

kobe bryant contract with lakers expires in 2004...maybe he'll go play with lebron heh

[yoMAMA]

looks like lakers will truonce da T-wolves! :lol:

[deez nuts]

to the question if lebron is hyped or not, i have no clue. i only seen one of his games. as to how well he does, only time will tell. the nba is a whole different level of balling than high school and college. there's probably be an adjustment period for lebron, i think we can all agree on that. i have seen his interviews. he seems very mature for a high school senior living under the spotlight like that.

as to hiroshi response: i agree with you. but, i have to say this, if lebron was my kid, i would tell him to skip college and go straight to the pro's. i would say this to any kid with the same opportunity. take college courses in the off-season. pay for yourself and work slowly towards your degree; under your own terms. rather than be a slave to all those ncaa rules and regulations.

[lethal]

I wouldn't tell James to go to college. College is not for everybody, not just atheletes. Some people don't want to further their education or just aren't cut out for it.

If he can go make millions bypassing college, why should we stop him? Bill Gates dropped out of college cause he felt like he was wasting his time there. Wouldn't James be doing the same thing?

Anyway, all NBA rookies hit the wall at some point. James has played, at most 20-25 games in a season. Anthony has played what, 40? The NBA season is 82 games plus pre-season games plus playoffs. These guys have never faced such a schedule.

James will be good next year. He may even average double digit points, but he won't be really good until his 3rd year...and that depends on how his team develops and adds players around him.

[tommyhtown]

Beat LA!!! Beat LA!!!

2-1 Minnesota

[deez nuts]

go t-wolves!

[Hanuman]

Down with the Lakers!!!!


Go Nets!!!!!

[sOKaLiBoY]

why you all gotta hate on the lakers???

[himura-dono]

cause they're jealous of socal might. :lol:

[mrazntre]

Originally posted by sOKaLiBoY@Apr 25 2003, 10:00 PM
why you all gotta hate on the lakers???
word...

GO LAKERS!

2-2

[achtungbaby]

Goddamn T-Wolves...who do they think they are?!? If the Lakers had any sort of third option on the team, they woulda gone 82-0 during the regular season. Instead now they have to scrap it out with the likes of Garnett & Co and be exhausted by the time the second round starts...

[deez nuts]

to be fair...i thought the t-wolves this year slipped under the radar and is a very underrated team.

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Apr 27 2003, 02:13 PM
to be fair...i thought the t-wolves this year slipped under the radar and is a very underrated team.
No! The T-Wolves are a horrible team. I could suit up against Kevin Garnett, that underaged, midget-pansy.

The T-Wolves must die a horrible, horrible death for daring to dethrone the Lakers. They must pay.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@Apr 27 2003, 05:16 PM
No! The T-Wolves are a horrible team. I could suit up against Kevin Garnett, that underaged, midget-pansy.

The T-Wolves must die a horrible, horrible death for daring to dethrone the Lakers. They must pay.
there there, ab it's ok. the lakers came a long way from the start of the season to make the 5th seed.

look at it this way, it's better than praying to the draft lottery gods like us NY'ers. oh wait, i think we traded our 2003 first round pick in the mcdeyss deal.

[achtungbaby]

Who's Antonio McDyess? I forgot everything about basketball once the fantasy season ended. I can only think about baseball now.

[yoMAMA]

FUCK the lakers!
FUCK the t-wolves!

FUCK Billionaire owners and multi-millionaire players!

:lol: :P :D

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by yoMAMA@Apr 27 2003, 02:49 PM
FUCK the lakers!
FUCK the t-wolves!

FUCK Billionaire owners and multi-millionaire players!

:lol: :P :D
Don't be hatin!

[achtungbaby]

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/nba/2003/0427/photo/a_kobe_lt.jpg

[sOKaLiBoY]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@Apr 27 2003, 11:23 PM
http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/nba/2003/0427/photo/a_kobe_lt.jpg
sweetness!! can't wait for tomorrow night when the lakers take command of the series. then we can come home and finish this series off and keep the t-wolves without a series win

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by sOKaLiBoY@Apr 28 2003, 10:45 AM
sweetness!! can't wait for tomorrow night when the lakers take command of the series. then we can come home and finish this series off and keep the t-wolves without a series win
Someone needs to beat D-Fish with a stick and tell him to WAKE UP...cuz there ain't no one else! The Lakers aren't going to win against the T-Wolves with Fish, Horry, Dick Fox and George scoring like 10 points combined.

[tommyhtown]

Well, you don't have to worry about 'Pretty Ricky' anymore.

Torn tendon in Fox's foot will require surgery (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2003/story?id=1546089)
__________________________________________________


MINNEAPOLIS -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox will miss the rest of the postseason with a torn tendon in his left foot that will require surgery.

An MRI test done Monday before the team departed Los Angeles revealed the damage. There was no estimated timetable for Fox's return.

Fox hasn't decided yet when he'll have the operation, team spokesman John Black said before the Lakers practiced in Minneapolis. He was hurt early in the first quarter of Sunday's 102-97 victory.

Fox averaged eight points in the first three games of the best-of-seven series. The first-round series is tied at two games apiece, with Game 5 at Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Fox's absence likely creates more playing time for Devean George and Brian Shaw.

[tommyhtown]

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/kevin_garnett_lakers_2.jpg

In Your Face Jumper!

I never liked the Lakers since Magic retired.

[Hiroshi2]

At this point, with the series tied 2-2 I think it's simply a matter of who wants it more. And yes, I think the Lakers do want it more. So even though there was some hope that the T-wolves would win, I think it's really a slim chance now.

[sOKaLiBoY]

that's right baby. lakers move on and the t-wolves suck again!!! 4-peat here we come

[MellowDrama]

Twolves = OWNED!

[ism]

Boston eliminates Indiana... okay, I know no one here cares about the East, but did anyone expect this? Nets and Celtics, rematch, w00t! I'll be booing that overrated punk Walker in nosebleed center court.

And can Tracy McGrady singlehandedly send Detroit packing?

[lethal]

I hope Orlando can beat Detroit. Sixers would have an easier time with Orlando I think.

[deez nuts]

indiana getting knocked out was surprising. i thought the detroit-orlando series would be close since they're two contrasting teams, i think it'll go to a game 7.

[lethal]

Spurs will beat the Lakes. Who's gonna stop Duncan, Shaq (the man who can't leave the lane)?

[sOKaLiBoY]

Originally posted by lethalweapon@May 2 2003, 10:47 AM
Spurs will beat the Lakes. Who's gonna stop Duncan, Shaq (the man who can't leave the lane)?
hmm have you forgotten that the Lakers have taken the spurs out the last 2 years. and the lakers have only lost 1 game in those 2 years to them. what do u think that duncan is going to win games all by himself??? hmm garnett couldn't win the series for the t-wolves could he? and have you forgotten that the lakers have both shaq and kobe?? how are u going to stop both of them?

[mrazntre]

2001 Lakers 4-0
2002 Lakers 4-1

This is the playoffs. Shaq is starting to hit his baby bank jumpers from outside the lane.

Lehal's just bitter cuz his East coast teams SUCK!


and the Lakers have MAD DOG MADSEN, ain't nobody stopping him (except himself).

[airborneranger]

CNN said Kareem Jabbar is going to coach Chinese
national team for the Greek Olympics next year
and Michael Jordan is going to
come back from retirement
to become Japanese and play
for Japan in the Olympics as point guard

[tommyhtown]

Beat LA, Beat LA!!!

Spurs 2 Lakers 0.

:dance:

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by tommyhtown@May 8 2003, 12:08 AM
Beat LA, Beat LA!!!

Spurs 2 Lakers 0.

:dance:
down with the lakers!

[sOKaLiBoY]

this is not looking good. *shakes head* well it's do or die tomorrow for the lakers. *crosses fingers*

[Chester]

Actually, I think it's looking very good -- albeit for anyone but a Laker fan.

I have no emotional attachment to the Spurs, but I like how they overcome their underwhelming overall talent with disciplined, tight play.

Totally looking ahead, but I'm wondering how the Spurs would fare against the Kings, in comparison to the Lakers...

[Hiroshi2]

LOL kings got thrown on the table and raped by the Mavs tonight. Dallas set a new record for most points scored in the first half of a playoff game (83). They ended the game with 132 points. It was looking OK in the first quarter, but then as soon as the second quarter started, the Mavs took off and quickly turned a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter into a ten-point lead, then a 20-point lead, then at one point, a 35-point lead. *sigh*. And Chris Webber and Bobby Jackson got hurt in the second half and consequently didn't play for the rest of the game.

Bad time to be a Kings fan......

This game wasn't just entertaining, it was humiliating.

[Chester]

Originally posted by Hiroshi2@May 8 2003, 09:45 PM
Bad time to be a Kings fan......

This game wasn't just entertaining, it was humiliating.
I didn't get to see it, but I enjoyed the highlights.

Nick the Quick...god damn.

Basically, the way I looked at it, the Mavs had/have "a puncher's chance." If they're hot, they're hot and there's fuck-all anyone can do about it. When Nick and the Teutonic Tower and launching precision bombs from beyond the arc, sit your starters the fuck down and wait for a cease fire.

But if they're not going into incandescent mode, then the Kings would/will pick them apart.

But if Webber and/or Jackson miss a game or more...I think I'd give them even odds. Actually, if only Jackson is missing, I'd give the Kings a slight edge. If only Webber is missing, then I'd give the Mavs a slightly bigger edge. If both are gone, I'd take out a second mortgage on the Mavs.

Of course, with my luck, Stojakovich would then go unconscious and light shit up.

Anyway...Webber getting hurt on a non-contact play...big surprise.

[ism]

Van Horn, who most Philly fans thought was a good trade for Mutumbo in the regular season, shows why he was dumped by the Nets. He fucking sucks when it counts. 9 points and 5 boards in 25 minutes due to foul trouble is not going to help Iverson, but thankfully everyone else stepped up. Sorry if I'm really harsh on KVH but he's had my ire for the past several years and it's hard to let go of a habit. Even though Mutumno is DNP DNP DNP the Nets are still better off.

[deez nuts]

lakers look like if they're playing on life support with the spurs about to unplug the respirator.

go spurs. i can't stand that fool jack nicholson.

[lethal]

C-Webb out for the entire playoffs with a torn meniscus in his knee. I think that's cartiledge, but Doc would know better.

Dallas might come back and win the series after looking so bad in game 1.

Could Dallas possibly beat SA?

A Mavs NBA championship would work wonders for what people think of offense. Maybe it would make teams copy the Mavs and make the NBA actually watchable.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by lethalweapon@May 11 2003, 03:42 PM
C-Webb out for the entire playoffs with a torn meniscus in his knee. I think that's cartiledge, but Doc would know better.


yeah it's the shock absorbing cartilage in the knee. diagnosed via Apley's compression test, McMurray's test and a ballottement test for synovial effusions. along with a knee x-ray and/or mri. hahaha.

bah lakers tied it.

[MellowDrama]

Pressure is now squarely back on the Spurs. Series tied 2-2 going back to SA. Dallas I feel will eventually wear out Sacramento.

[lethal]

A series doesn't start until a team loses on its home floor...or its game 7.

Spurs-Lakers and Sixers-Pistons are all holding at home so far.

[mrazntre]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 11 2003, 10:17 PM
Originally posted by lethalweapon@May 11 2003, 03:42 PM
C-Webb out for the entire playoffs with a torn meniscus in his knee. I think that's cartiledge, but Doc would know better.


yeah it's the shock absorbing cartilage in the knee. diagnosed via Apley's compression test, McMurray's test and a ballottement test for synovial effusions. along with a knee x-ray and/or mri. hahaha.

bah lakers tied it.
compression test huh?

i do that with a comp tester and air compressor.

bwah!


go Lakers!

[tommyhtown]

Spurs 3 Lakers 2.

Beat LA!!! Beat LA!!!

[Chester]

Seriously. It's a shame that the Spurs-Lakers series isn't the Western Con. Finals, as it's probably going to be the best series of the playoffs.

Not necessarily because of the play, but because of what it represents:
- The understated, modest dominance of Tim Duncan vs. the egomaniacal, unfocused superstardom of O'Neal.
- The solid cast of role-players on the Spurs vs. the role-players on the Lakers who sometimes impact their team's fortunes less than Jack Nicholson.

I'm not a particularly big fan of the Spurs and I no longer bear all that antipathy toward the Lakers, but I'm rooting for the Spurs in a major way. For one thing, it would be nice to see a tight, balanced team take the title...show the NBA that fundamentals can still carry the day against 2-man plays and isolation play.

Also, it would be a big slap in the face of the NBA, IMO. I found their confidence during the season to be annoying...they're belief that they could slack for the vast majority of the season and then, all of a sudden, turn it on in the playoffs. The injuries to Fox and George aside, I think their drastically lower level of play during this post-season is a testament to the fact that hard work begets good results.

Out of the four teams that remain (no, I don't count the East), I think the Spurs "deserve" the championship the most. That said, I have a big soft spot in my heart for the Mavs because of my continued allegiance to Nelly.

[MellowDrama]

Damn, almost pulled it off. I think Lakers will take game 6 and it'll be anyone's game in Game 7. Winner of this series will win the whole thing.

[sOKaLiBoY]

look at all the laker haters in here. well the spurs have us on the ropes just like sac had us last year. but will they be able to finish us? i think not. lakers in 7 fo sho

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Chester@May 14 2003, 12:07 PM
I'm not a particularly big fan of the Spurs and I no longer bear all that antipathy toward the Lakers, but I'm rooting for the Spurs in a major way.
Yeah, sure. You mean you don't have any antipathy towards those Lakers, led by the crazed egomanical thug and supported by those useless supporting cast characters who have about the same influence on the game as an aging Hollywood actor...? You mean those Lakers?:)

Of course you're rooting for the Spurs. It's the popular thing to do.

Originally posted by Chester@May 14 2003, 12:07 PM
...I think their drastically lower level of play during this post-season is a testament to the fact that hard work begets good results.

I almost busted my load when I read this. Hard work begets good results...you mean kinda like the hard work that wills your way back from a 25 point deficit on their court? Or the kind that comes back, down 3-2 with the next two games in Sacramento? Or the kind that comes back, down more than 20 points against Portland in Game 7...? Or maybe the kind that wins three championships in a row?

San Antonio doesn't know the meaning of hard work because they've never won before (strike seasons don't count).

If the Lakers had any sort of a legitimate third option, then I could see your argument holding any kind of weight, because with a third scoring threat, the Lakers would be blowing everyone else outta the water, no effort required.

[achtungbaby]

To add, you damn Laker-haters:

It seems very fashionable lately to hate on the Lakers.

Oh the Lakers have it so easy.

Oh the Lakers have Kobe and Shaq -- they *should* be able to win every game.

Oh the Lakers are so damn glitzy and Hollywood and good-looking and rich and beautiful and cool...I hate them!

For the uninformed...it was not always this way.

Sure, growing up, we had Magic, Worthy, and Kareem -- Showtime: the fast break offense, Jack Nicholson, the Laker girls, the stars... And that seemed to earn the ire of so many across the country, who lived in rag-tag towns a bit less fortunate than Los Angeles, and which had teams whose players...all seemed to want to migrate to Los Angeles.

But after Showtime there was a great silence. Riles left. Magic got HIV. And in came a string of pretty good players and coaches who we cheered for anyway: Vlade Divac, Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel, Dennis Rodman...Randy Pfund...Del Harris.

When people scorn LA's current success, I remember Vlade's two missed free throw shots in their playoff loss to San Antonio, or their seemingly neverending string of losses to Utah and their pick and roll. Even after Shaq arrived, they could still never get past San Antonio or Utah. For more than 10 years Los Angeles hadn't won a championship.

We've earned it:)

[Chester]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 15 2003, 02:24 PM
Yeah, sure. You mean you don't have any antipathy towards those Lakers, led by the crazed egomanical thug and supported by those useless supporting cast characters who have about the same influence on the game as an aging Hollywood actor...? You mean those Lakers?:)
Yup, those Lakers. All things are relative. You should have heard what I used to think about them.

Of course you're rooting for the Spurs.  It's the popular thing to do.

Not necessarily. And don't pin the bandwagon label on me. I'm a die-hard Warriors fan.

you mean kinda like the hard work that wills your way back from a 25 point deficit on their court?  Or the kind that comes back, down 3-2 with the next two games in Sacramento?  Or the kind that comes back, down more than 20 points against Portland in Game 7...?  Or maybe the kind that wins three championships in a row?

Precisely. There has been a dramatic difference between the Lakers of the last few years and the Lakers of this year. Come on...even a highly-partisan Lakers fan has got to admit that there was too much of a "what, me worry?" attitude during the regular season.

San Antonio doesn't know the meaning of hard work because they've never won before (strike seasons don't count). 

Hyperbole is hyperbole, but even as an exaggeration, that's kind of silly.

If the Lakers had any sort of a legitimate third option, then I could see your argument holding any kind of weight, because with a third scoring threat, the Lakers would be blowing everyone else outta the water, no effort required.

1. I think if Duncan had Kobe instead of Tony Parker, the Lakers would be spending tonight at home, watching the Kings/Mavs series. Are you trying to make the argument that the Lakers are under-talented compared to the Spurs? Who's the Spurs' legitimate third option? Ginobilli? If the Lakers can't contain a rookie, then they don't deserve to four-peat.
2. Game in, game out, I would take Horry in the playoffs over Ginobilli, Rose, Jackson, or Bowen. But he's gone frigid from outside this series.
3. Yeah...Fox and George are injured. Injuries are part of the game. I'd say the same thing to Sac-town fans who bitch and moan about Webber being out. (And, with them, more so...because when is Webber not hurt?)

Anyway, my main point was that I would like to see the Spurs' brand of basketball win out over the Lakers'. I'd like to see tight, balanced team play win out over the Shaq/Kobe show. An ancillary point is that I prefer the personalities on the Spurs. To me, Tim Duncan pretty much typifies what is still good in basketball, while Shaq typifies a lot of what's now bad in basketball.

Forget about Fox and George and a "Legitimate Third Option." The Lakers are not less talented than the Spurs, even with those two injuries. If Shaq had placed team priorities over his own lethargy and had his toe surgery early in the off-season, the Lakers could very well blow everyone else out of the water.

As for "no effort required," I don't think so. They needed plenty of effort even last year to get past the Kings.

Come on...as a Laker fan, you don't see a big attitude downgrade between this year's team and last year's? It's not like they just began to look vulnerable when Fox and George got injured.

[Chester]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 15 2003, 02:43 PM
It seems very fashionable lately to hate on the Lakers
It's been fashionable for quite a while now. Of course, I'm from the Bay Area, so it's always been fashionable.

We've earned it:)

The Lakers certainly earned it the last three years. This year, however, I think they're going to fall short.

I hadn't expected them to go down to the Spurs. And they still might not. But, before the playoffs, I would have put money down on them falling to the Kings...not that I wanted them to...

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
Come on...even a highly-partisan Lakers fan has got to admit that there was too much of a "what, me worry?" attitude during the regular season.

I don't concede to this at all -- the Lakers played from behind all season. They've been horrible all year, barely making the playoffs. Before the All-Star break, they were barely at .500. Sure, maybe they don't panic and choke like other teams, but you're going to fault them for remaining upbeat?

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
Hyperbole is hyperbole, but even as an exaggeration, that's kind of silly.

I repeat: ...hard work begets good results.

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
Are you trying to make the argument that the Lakers are under-talented compared to the Spurs?

1. I'll take San Antonio's bench/supporting cast over the Laker's anyday. Robinson, Rose, Ginobilli, Jackson...come on now.
2. I would take Robinson over Horry. Hello! Legitimate big man. He may be old, but he'd be more than enough to back up Shaq.
3. I never bitched about Fox and George being injured. I'm not a big fan of Fox until the playoffs begin anyway...the guy can't shoot, can't dribble and sure as hell can't pass. He can shoot three's on occasion and does play okay defense -- that's it. Injuries are definitely part of the game...I never bitched when Byron Scott and Magic went down against Chicago, thereby enabling those cheaters to take it from LA...:P
4. Hey, don't knock rookies too much. Yao Ming is a rookie...Stoudemire is a rookie...Caron Butler is a rookie...

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
I'd like to see tight, balanced team play win out over the Shaq/Kobe show.

Balanced?!? Balanced would indicate they've got a healthier dispersion of talent than the Lakers. Sure the Spurs don't have a *great* third option than the Lakers, but at least they've got option*s*...the Lakers have Kobe and Shaq, that's it.

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
To me, Tim Duncan pretty much typifies what is still good in basketball, while Shaq typifies a lot of what's now bad in basketball.

I think you're being unfair in heaping all that is wrong with basketball on Shaq. Hey, I like Tim Duncan too, he's a nice guy who doesn't say much, goes to work everyday and does his job. Blue collar. Great! But don't take away the hard work Shaq has put in for at least three consecutive seasons to win the title. You simply cannot win three consecutive championships in the NBA without having the heart of a champion.

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:05 PM
...the Lakers could very well blow everyone else out of the water.  As for "no effort required," I don't think so.

So "blowing everyone else out of the water" would require some effort?

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:14 PM
It's been fashionable for quite a while now. Of course, I'm from the Bay Area, so it's always been fashionable.

Gah, I knew it. You no cal'ers always want what we have.

Originally posted by Chester@May 15 2003, 03:14 PM
The Lakers certainly earned it the last three years. This year, however, I think they're going to fall short.

We'll see...

[Chester]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 15 2003, 03:46 PM
Gah, I knew it. You no cal'ers always want what we have.
Nah. You can keep the smog, congestion, heat, and silicone. In the past, I would have taken your team's b-ball trophies. This year...I doubt it.

I'll take the Getty, though.

We'll see...

Yup. Tip-off's in a few minutes, right?

[Chester]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 15 2003, 03:44 PM
I don't concede to this at all -- the Lakers played from behind all season. They've been horrible all year, barely making the playoffs. Before the All-Star break, they were barely at .500. Sure, maybe they don't panic and choke like other teams, but you're going to fault them for remaining upbeat?
Personally, I think they were capable of way more than they achieved while Shaq was gone and while Shaq was still getting into the flow of things. So their sudden rush toward the end of the season wasn't so much a miraculous turn-around as it was a reflection and compensation for their underachieving earlier in the season.

Then there's always the point that the horrid start can be pinned squarely on Shaq's pointless failure to get toe surgery in the early off-season. I have yet to hear a valid explanation for that. If I were a Laker fan, I'd be pissed at him for that.

I repeat: ...hard work begets good results.

Right. And you wrote that the Spurs don't know the meaning of hard work. That's silly. Look at the roster of Sacramento and Dallas and then look at how the Spurs earned the #1 record in the NBA. Hard work does beget good results and them Spurs be getting.

1.  I'll take San Antonio's bench/supporting cast over the Laker's anyday.  Robinson, Rose, Ginobilli, Jackson...come on now.

I'd take Kobe, Horry, Fisher, Fox, George and, more importantly, Phil Jackson, over their Spurs counterparts. Well, maybe, maybe not. But I don't think the choice between either crew is emphatically clear. What was clear was that the Lakers were an odds-on favorite to win the title before the seasons started, so most others would disagree with you.

2.  I would take Robinson over Horry.  Hello!  Legitimate big man.  He may be old, but he'd be more than enough to back up Shaq.

Take a look at the numbers. They're pretty comparable, though the edge would go to Robinson this year. But that's because Horry is underachieving -- one of my points. If you look at Horry's numbers vs. Robinson's numbers last year, you would've taken Horry in a hearbeat. Even Horry last year vs. Robinson this year, you'd take Horry in a heartbeat.

And you wouldn't take Robinson over Horry because you'd be trading one of your best perimeter and money shooters for a guy who'd only be getting single-digit minutes behind Shaq.

3.  I never bitched about Fox and George being injured.  I'm not a big fan of Fox until the playoffs begin anyway...the guy can't shoot, can't dribble and sure as hell can't pass.  He can shoot three's on occasion and does play okay defense -- that's it. 

Not saying you were bitching. Just making a point. And the point is that the Lakers and the Spurs supporting rosters are pretty comparable. Also, I think that you, me, and just about anyone else would have said -- before the season -- that the Lakers were way better than the Spurs. I would have.

But Parker and Ginobilli have been playing above expectations, Bowen went insane for one game, and the Laker's role-players have not been playing their roles.

4.  Hey, don't knock rookies too much.  Yao Ming is a rookie...Stoudemire is a rookie...Caron Butler is a rookie...

None of them are playing ball right now.

But yeah...the point was: with few exceptions, if you're having problems containing a rookie, you're having problems, period.

Balanced?!?  Balanced would indicate they've got a healthier dispersion of talent than the Lakers.  Sure the Spurs don't have a *great* third option than the Lakers, but at least they've got option*s*...the Lakers have Kobe and Shaq, that's it.

Which is what they've always had for their titles. The problem is that those role players aren't performing in the small ways they're supposed to perform. While part of that problem is age, part of that problem is also -- in my opinion -- the fact that the Lakers became too much of a two-trick pony and the fact that, for a good portion of the season, they seemed listless.

Contrary to their attitude, the playoffs are not the only thing that matters. Consistency during the season usually begets consistency in the playoffs.

But don't take away the hard work Shaq has put in for at least three consecutive seasons to win the title.  You simply cannot win three consecutive championships in the NBA without having the heart of a champion.

No argument. In terms of performance, I only blamed him for this season.

[deez nuts]

the lakers are done. it's over. big gump shaq got lots of time to sell them nestle crunch bars and learning how to pronounce c-a-r-a-m-e-l. why he's at it he should learn to stop using only one side of his mouth to talk, also.

talk about choking when it counted. lakers got fucking owned 110-82. not even a game, what were they playing a pick up game of street ball? and on home court might i add.


hahahahaha wow that felt good after my yankees fiasco here on yw. yeah, i'm bitter!

i'm rooting for the spurs and the nets now.

[MellowDrama]

Terrible game. :o

[AngryABCGirl]

:confused: Say it ain't so Phil...

[Hiroshi2]

HA HA HA Lakers lose, Lakers lose.....

I'm so happy :lol:

[lethal]

Sixers!!!

Actually, I think the Nets will take them even if Philly can get past Detroit.

And I'm really rooting for the Mavs to win it all. If the rest of the NBA copied their style of ball the league would be a better place.

[deez nuts]

KNICKS!

maybe in 5-10 years

hahahaha

go yankees and giants!

mavs is a good choice too. but, i like how the spurs execute more and it is robinson's last run in the nba.

[MellowDrama]

Wow, this year has turned out so weird. It has forced me to root for...

THE NETS! :P

[deez nuts]

show time became no time.

[ism]

You gotta believe.

[Danny]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 16 2003, 07:24 AM
show time became no time.
here here....

that was pathetic... nobody was guarding freaking Kevin I wear depends Willis... how disgusting was that....

they gotta gut that team, with the exceptioin of Kobe, Shaq and maybe George and the rookies the rest of the team is not worth a warm bucket of snot.

[sOKaLiBoY]

well well well. i was hoping that it was just a dream but i guess not. it was one hell of a run for the lakers. i must tip my cap to the spurs. i hope they will be back strong next year

[kboy75]

Gawd!

Finally!

It feels so sweet. They got owned and got owned at home in LA.

http://ak-sports.espn.go.com/f/1917/8668/6H/espn.go.com/media/nba/2003/0515/photo/a_bryant2_ht.jpg
Kobe... O CRY ME A F*CKIN RIVER!

MUAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Call me a mean bastard, but I just couldn't take those punk a$$es winning again.

NEXT!

It doesn't get any easier for the Spurs...

But damn this pic is great...

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/nba/2003/0515/photo/oneil_0515_skirm.jpg

[achtungbaby]

Blah. What a crappy night it was. Kasie and I watched most of the game at a sports bar, right before going to see the Matrix. While we were waiting in line, we heard the Lakers got owned by more than 20 points.

To top it off, the movie sucked.

Oh well...I guess this off season I get to spend as much time hating on other teams like y'all as I do on rooting for my own:)

[sOKaLiBoY]

just let the haters have their fun. we will be back strong next year.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 16 2003, 12:23 PM
Blah.
yeah that's what i said when the yanks choked on me in the playoffs. plus the added bonus of being your bitch till the end of the world series.

there there, you guys got next season. i wondering if phil is gonna leave since dealing with the hollywood like egos on that team gotta be tough on his heart condition.

/cues that celine dion song from the "titanic" movie/

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 16 2003, 09:25 AM
yeah that's what i said when the yanks choked on me. plus the added bonus of being you're bitch till the end of the world series.

there there, you guys got next season. i wondering if phil is gonna leave since dealing with the hollywood like egos on that team must not be good for his heart condition.
You're right, I can't bitch too much...this was a very successful season for so cal...uncommonly successful. Lakers...Angels...possibly the Ducks...

But I'm a much bigger bball fan than I am a baseball or hockey fan -- combined. This one definitely hurt...the Lakers just didn't want it as bad as the Spurs did.

[Chester]

I still think the Lakers have enough existing talent on the roster to be the best team in the league. They just need to revamp their attitude and focus during the off-season. It would help if the front-office could get some younger, worthwhile supporting players, but it would help more if Shaq went into the season in good shape and with the level of thirst he's displayed in the past.

[achtungbaby]

I think this is a good opportunity for Kobe and Shaq to clamor for more of the support they've been asking for. I don't know what their salary cap issues are, but hopefully they can at least pay for either another big man who can rebound and play defense or an outside shooter.

[sOKaLiBoY]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 16 2003, 11:55 AM
I think this is a good opportunity for Kobe and Shaq to clamor for more of the support they've been asking for. I don't know what their salary cap issues are, but hopefully they can at least pay for either another big man who can rebound and play defense or an outside shooter.
they will have at least another 5 mil because the lakers are not going to pickup the option for robert horry. maybe they will pickup p.j brown. or who knows maybe karl malone :P

[Chester]

I was talking about the Mailman with a co-worker and it could work, if the personalities don't clash too much. That is, Karl doesn't necessarily have to take up Shaq's domain in the low post.

Doesn't quite have the range of an Horry, but, then...this year, Horry didn't quite have the range of an Horry.

[achtungbaby]

I've always hated Malone, but I'm not sure if that's because he was part of the Jazz or just 'cuz he was Malone.

But I would love for him to come to LA. The Lakers can always use veterens who've never won a title, hungry to finally win one. It was the squad of veterens, I thought, that helped fuel the drive to win their first championship under Phil -- AC Green, Ron Harper, John Salley, etc.

[Hiroshi2]

Karl Malone is not worth spending money on, simply because he's already at the end of his career pretty much. The Mailman's got at the most 3 or 4 seasons left in him, and that's being optimistic. I know he's healthy, but he's also old. But I can see a personality clash occuring though. He might find the Lakers club a bit too relaxed and laid-back after all those seasons with the Jazz and Jerry Sloan, who is a no-nonsense kinda guy and filled his roster with no-nonsense kind of players.

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by Hiroshi2@May 16 2003, 03:46 PM
He might find the Lakers club a bit too relaxed and laid-back after all those seasons with the Jazz and Jerry Sloan, who is a no-nonsense kinda guy and filled his roster with no-nonsense kind of players.
Winning championships cures a host of ills. Veterens like to play for Jackson because he tries to weed out the unimportant from the important.

...(sigh)...if only Horry's shot had gone in...

[Chester]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 16 2003, 03:48 PM
Winning championships cures a host of ills. Veterens like to play for Jackson because he tries to weed out the unimportant from the important.
And half the point of getting Malone would be to reinject a sense of urgency and drive...veteran discipline and desire.

...(sigh)...if only Horry's shot had gone in...

Then they probably would've pushed the Spurs to 7...and lost in 7.

Chester

[kasia]

:(

[deez nuts]

shaq got time now to redeem himself as a rap artist, now. maybe he should do a duet with roy jones jr.

hahahahaha

SHAZZAM!

[deez nuts]

All you washed up cali hoops fans (LA gone. Sacramento gone.) should pull for the Nets cuz of coach Byron Scott!

[tommyhtown]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 18 2003, 09:49 AM
All you washed up cali hoops fans (LA gone. Sacramento gone.) should pull for the Nets cuz of coach Byron Scott!
Heck no!

Cali fans and western conference fans gotta pull for a Texan team to win it all.

[Hiroshi2]

^ Yeah this year Texas whupped California's ass in the playoffs. Sorry Cali.

Once Chris Webber got injured, I knew that neither one of the California teams was gonna win the semifinals this year.

[Hiroshi2]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 17 2003, 09:02 AM
shaq got time now to redeem himself as a rap artist, now.
LOL

[deez nuts]

nets swiped home court from the pistons.

[ism]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 18 2003, 01:49 PM
All you washed up cali hoops fans (LA gone.  Sacramento gone.) should pull for the Nets cuz of coach Byron Scott!

http://coachbyronscott.com/

http://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-002F_small.JPGhttp://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-005F_small.JPGhttp://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-006F_small.JPG

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by ism@May 18 2003, 04:36 PM

http://coachbyronscott.com/

http://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-002F_small.JPGhttp://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-005F_small.JPGhttp://coachbyronscott.com/old/MVC-006F_small.JPG
damn straight. hell yeah.

all you LA folks better recognize. showtime has moved to jersey this season.

holla back.

[lethal]

Showtime's in Dallas now. I wanna see Dallas and NJ. I don't want to see any stupid defensive struggles where both teams scores are in the 70s. Detroit can't shoot and San Antonio shuts teams down. Dallas and NJ for offense!!!

[lethal]

Mavs!

113-110!

[specialK]

most nervewracking game ever. good thing that dallas is the best free throw shooting team in the league, huh? 49 in a row is unholy.

hack-a-bruce is funny, yet heartbreaking to watch. honestly, if his 3 point percentage is better than his ft percentage, he should do like van exel and scoot the hell back. :lol:

i was surprised that they hung in there the whole time, seeing as how they should have been tired out from the sacramento series. i still have the feeling it's gonna be another long series. i hope the mavs can pull it off. dallas needs to have a basketball championship. after the tulmultuous times that resulted in a decade of sub-mediocre basketball, i think that the mavs fans deserve a championship.

[Chester]

Originally posted by specialK@May 20 2003, 03:36 AM
hack-a-bruce is funny, yet heartbreaking to watch.
Yeah -- vintage Nelly. Once, when the Mavs came to town, he ran a Hack-A-donal defense, fouling Adonal Foyle something like five times in a row to end the first half. By the fourth or fifth foul, Michael Finley was visibly cracking up, as were a lot of otherwise-fans of the Warriors in the stands. When Adonal finally made one, the place erupted as if we'd won the championship.

I hope the Mavs take it -- I want to see Nelly win. But I'm fine with the Spurs taking it too. Now that Sac-town and LA are out, I don't care all that much.

If I were betting, though, my money would still be on the Spurs.

[sOKaLiBoY]

i'd love to see byron scott win since he is a fellow purple and gold. plus with the lakers gone i'd like to see the east win. however someone from the west will probably prevail as usual.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by sOKaLiBoY@May 20 2003, 01:03 PM
i'd love to see byron scott win since he is a fellow purple and gold. plus with the lakers gone i'd like to see the east win. however someone from the west will probably prevail as usual.
yup, i agree. the team that comes out in the west will be the champs.

[Hiroshi2]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@May 20 2003, 12:22 PM
yup, i agree. the team that comes out in the west will be the champs.
I second that. But I think in any case, the Finals will be a 4-2 win.

[ism]

Kidd and Martin willed it in the 4th quarter. Can't wait til they bring it home on Thursday. That arena better be sold out.

[MellowDrama]

Detroit = totally fux0red!

BWA HA HA HAH! :lol:

RA!

[coagulated fat]

alls i got to say is...
at least the kings didn't cry

[achtungbaby]

Originally posted by coagulated fat@May 22 2003, 07:16 PM
alls i got to say is...
at least the kings didn't cry
Can't cry over something you're ignorant of :D

[coagulated fat]

(racking brain for a clever reply)

uhh... but STILL.

(i'll get back to you)

[ism]

w00t, the running game got going, the arena was alive, and Carlisle kept his secret offensive weapon (Barry) on the bench. You could see the fear in Detroit's eyes every time Martin attacked the basket in the first quarter. Couldnt ask for more.

[lethal]

Originally posted by ism@May 23 2003, 01:20 AM
w00t, the running game got going, the arena was alive, and Carlisle kept his secret offensive weapon (Barry) on the bench. You could see the fear in Detroit's eyes every time Martin attacked the basket in the first quarter. Couldnt ask for more.
Was it sold out?

[ism]

Originally posted by lethalweapon@May 23 2003, 09:00 AM
Was it sold out?
Yes! It was packed! It better be sold out on Saturday too. Only thing that pissed me off is it was such a pwning people started filing out with 10 minutes left in the 4th. It must have looked bad on teevee to see empty seats when casual viewers tend to tune in.

[MellowDrama]

RA! Jersey sweeeeeeping to the Finals. Let's hope they do better in the Finals this year!

[Faithless]

Originally posted by MellowDrama@May 24 2003, 08:47 PM
RA! Jersey sweeeeeeping to the Finals. Let's hope they do better in the Finals this year!
Yeah, but, Jason has been hinting that he wouldn't mind returning to Oakland to play before the hometown crowds.

Without Jason Kidd, are the Nets still viable?

[MellowDrama]

Originally posted by DoggieBreath@May 25 2003, 12:19 AM
Yeah, but, Jason has been hinting that he wouldn't mind returning to Oakland to play before the hometown crowds.

Without Jason Kidd, are the Nets still viable?
The chances of Kidd going to Golden State are between zero and negative 1.

[Faithless]

Originally posted by MellowDrama@May 25 2003, 10:15 AM
Originally posted by DoggieBreath@May 25 2003, 12:19 AM
Yeah, but, Jason has been hinting that he wouldn't mind returning to Oakland to play before the hometown crowds.

Without Jason Kidd, are the Nets still viable?
The chances of Kidd going to Golden State are between zero and negative 1.
We can wish, here, though, can't we? :rolleyes:

[deez nuts]

san antonio vs new jersey.

realistically i think san antonio will take it.

but, i'm gonna be pulling for the nets!

[sOKaLiBoY]

nets all the way baby!!! i'll never cheer for the team that took out lakers.


<crosses fingers>

[specialK]

yeah, even though the mavs knocked themselves out that last game, steve kerr didn't have to jack up all those threes to make them look bad.

i'm pulling for the nets, but in reality the western conference finals were the nba finals.

[windup]

My beloved mavs *sniff*. 9 pts... Grandma could score more pts in 12mins. Oh well there's next year.

I don't really see how the nets can win. I mean the spurs have gotten a public beating about not closing teams out. This probably means they're going to destroy the nets. Here's hoping for a good competitive series though.

[ism]

Go Nets!

I'll be in nosebleed 211 for games 3, 4, and probably 5.

[achtungbaby]

Nets in 7!

[ism]

oMg Scott is playing Mutumbo

[windup]

umm whoa. duncan went nuts. it's gonna be rough for the nets if he owns them like this in every game. and yes, 6 minutes is too many for mutumbo.

[ism]

oMg Mutombo is alive

[deez nuts]

it's just about done.

san antonio takes it in 6.

[Hiroshi2]

it IS done.

san antonio takes it in 6.

CONGRATS TO THE SPURS!!!!!

Maybe nice guys do finish first, after all. As much as guys like Charles Barkely and Karl Malone talk and talk they don't have a ring. David Robinson's a great guy who isn't a jackass like the other two and now he has two rings to show for it. Shaq and Kobe? Better come harder next year, baby.