NBA Playoffs Open Thread, Part II
by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 11:50 AM PDT
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Print(Please rec this. I actually spent an hour writing this).
This is for the remainder of the first round and the opening games of the second round.
Series still going on 
Chicago-Boston (Celtics up 3-2): Perhaps the best first round series ever. Lakers-Suns did have the Kobe factor, but Chicago-Boston has had two game winning shots, three game tying shots to send it to overtime, more overtime games than regulation games, sensational point guard play by Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon turning into the next Vinnie 'Microwave' Johnson, Ray Allen delivering, Paul Pierce finally showing up for Game 5, even questionable foul calls on Tuesday with Rondo turning Brad Miller's mouth into a sea of blood and Allen fouling out on some of the weirdest calls you'll ever see in a playoff game. Compelling stuff.
If Chicago has the legs to send this to Game 7 tonight, it'll definitely go down as one of the all-timers.
via www.chron.com
Houston-Portland (Rockets up 3-2): A close runnerup for this year--every game save the first has been closely contested. Aaron Brooks was on fire the first several games (although he's let it go to his head--point guards of his mold can't take 20 shots). Yao has been on and off (there was one game in this series where he attempted 5 shots. FIVE.). Brandon Roy is like a duller, less reckless version of D-Wade (I'll make a bet he plays more NBA games than Wade, although jury's out if he wins more titles). The officiating has been BAD (Yao and Roy have both been handchecked a lot), but it's evened out--both teams have been about hosed the same.
All the pressure is on Houston tonight. If they lose this game and have to go back to Portland for Game 7, Yao and crew are going to hear all the "can't get out of the first round" talk all over again. It isn't
Oh, and a farewell to Mount Mutombo, one of the greatest defenders in NBA history.
via media.charlotteobserver.com
Miami-Atlanta (Hawks up 3-2): This was a series NBA fans were all looking forward to, but geez. One team brings its A game one night, the other team brings no game. Margin of victory: 26, 15, 29, 10, 15.
D-Wade looks totally worn out, like he did two years ago. He carried that team of greens six months to an amazing MVP-caliber season. His style of play really makes it difficult for him to stay healthy, even if he is more in control of his faculties than he was a year ago.
It would drive me crazy to root for Josh Smith on a day-to-day basis. And this Hawks team hasn't progressed at all from last year; they're essentially the same team.
I was originally looking forward toward a LeBron-Wade second round series, but now it looks like both of these teams are ready to be killed off. Looks like the march for the King will continue unabetted to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Orlando-Philly (Magic up 3-2): Orlando should really be put out of its misery. After overachieving most of the year they've picked the perfect time to start sucking. They're like the Lakers, except the leads they blow have come back to bite. Dwight Howard's suspension almost assures a Game 7 in Orlando, and it's safe to say I'm pissed at the way Stan has treated his prized center and they way he runs their offense. If Riley was coaching this team they'd have won in 5.
via media.charlotteobserver.com
Mavericks win 4-1: Can't tell much here. San Antonio had two stars and ten stiffs. Dallas just outscored them to death. Although I guess we should all be happy for J-Kidd. Especially YOU yellow fever.
Their real test comes next round against the....
Nuggets win 4-1: Should be a nice throwback series between Dallas-Denver where we have final scores of 124-122. Hornets packed it in awhile ago, and really had no depth. What was really depressing was how not one Hornet stepped up for CP3 when Denver started bodying him up, sending him to the floor. Not one retaliation, not one iota of resistance. If I was Paul I'd be thinking of asking for a trade to get out of this mess of a franchise.
As for Denver, just like Dallas, their aim is to shoot it up. J.R. Smith has happily obliged and should continue to do so (his madness will kill them eventually, but until then...). Birdman continues to scare the hell out of me. Melo has done a little, but it's really Billups's team.
And let's give it up to Sean Marks, who was the second best Hornet on this team for the whole series! (What a depressing thing for a Hornets fan to hear).
Lakers win 4-1: LA continues to squander big leads. This trend has been going on all season, partly due to a bizarrely weak bench. That bench was their cornerstone last year, and now they are throwing up stink bombs night after night. The point guard play might have been solved in the long-term with the emerging Shannon Brown, but what about the short-term? Will Laker favorite Lamar Odom continue to shine?
Oh, and please stay classy Jazz fans.
Cavaliers win 4-0: Yeppppp.
Discuss the final games of Round 1, the playoffs so far, or look forward to Round 2. And if you have time, think about the MVP debate (there isn't much of one this year).
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.
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Feel like we have 2 Game 7s
Miami looks totally wiped.
Houston SHOULD win this game tonight. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose, Portland has played them close.
Chicago-Boston just feels like seven. Philly would have to utterly gag to lose tonight.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed on all but one point.
I get the feeling that Chicago is going to choke. The only way they don’t is if they get a big game from Rose AND Gordon, I think their youth is going to hurt them. I think they are going to be looking for a bit of a physical game because of Brad Miller at the end of Game 5, but the refs are going to keep a tight game through the first half to prevent madness, and they aren’t going to react well to ticky-tack calls.
Obviously that is all speculation, I don’t really know what is going inside their heads.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Translation: I want VDN fired?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
i do want vinny fired, but i’d rather take the Bulls winning, as I said before I’m over yelling at the sky.
Also, I didn’t write that to say I think Del Coacho is an idiot (I guess it inserts itself subconsciously), I wrote that because I believe the Bulls are younger, at home, and overly excited (I think it is going to hurt them). But this Bulls team has always surprised me when I least expect it. Whenever I expect something they lose in horrible fashion, whenever I expect nothing they do well.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Holy shit
Did they toss Rondo?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions
Flagrant one
Yeeeeesh. Cs got lucky.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually I'm not sure if this is good
They lose, they review that, and that foul gets upgraded, he’d sit Game 7.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Too lucky, the ref saw it the entire way, you can’t just throw someone into the scorers table. Personally, i think both Rondo and Hinrich should be gone.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
I just don’t want anyone gone from Game 7. What a shitty way to end the series.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m still bitter about the series-deciding suspensions from the 1997 Knicks-Heat series.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
I remember that. Should’ve renamed that the Rugby League championship.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
That was exactly what Horry did to Nash two years ago. You HAVE to suspend him.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Celtics have to go all-out to win this game now
They can’t risk a Rondo suspension for Game 7.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions
Bulls, ever heard of Ray Allen?
Might want to start doubling him off the ball…yeesh
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 5:20 PM PDT reply actions
On second review, Hinrich does look like he's flopping a bit
So I guess they won’t suspend Rondo. Oh wells.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions
Tyrus Thomas with the SLEDGEHAMMER
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 6:18 PM PDT reply actions
Vinny showing why he needs to be fired
Terrible rotations/subs late in the game.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions
Bulls are going to kick themselves
Blowing double digit leads in the last two games in the 4th quarter.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
You have got to be kidding me
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 6:47 PM PDT reply actions
Greatest meaningless playoff series ever, that’s for sure.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Redneck Brad Miller steps up.
I’m trying to digest that sentence.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions
NO FUCKING WAY
Big Baby with the gamewinner???
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:10 PM PDT reply actions
That is seriously the luckiest shot ever
If this ends up being the difference.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Fish delivers
Double overtime. Again.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:13 PM PDT reply actions
Fish continuing to deliver
Salmons has the Bulls up 3 in 2ot!!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:22 PM PDT reply actions
Ray Ray makes it a 1 point game
Cs got to foul with 20 seconds left.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:31 PM PDT reply actions
Chicago has choked away enough free throws in this game that I am still nervous.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Well well, it is Miller time.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I Think this was the Play
I was at triple rock (mixed crowd of celtics and bulls fans), when Allen hit the three that was a two because his foot was on the line, someone yelled out a, “This isn’t nam! There are rules!” this delighted the local crowds.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
JESUS SHUTTLEWORTH DELIVERS!!!!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions
Stunned Chicago didn't foul
STUNNED.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Chicago should have won this series already. So many stupid decisions…
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Chowder must be loading his shotgun, ready to abduct Vinny Del Negro.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Big Baby Davis just double pumped in the air
Violating a hundred laws of physics.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions
Fatigue
He was worn out before this game.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN???
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:02 PM PDT reply actions
After Miller's botched finger roll you'd think they'd learn
Throw it down, Hinrich! Throw it down!
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
CHICAGO'S OUT OF TIMEOUTS
THEY ARE FUCKED IF BOSTON MAKES A SHOT.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:03 PM PDT reply actions
Wow, could've been goaltending
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
This is some painful coaching by VDN
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions
WOOOOOOO BLOCK PARTY BY ROSE!!!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions
GAME 7 SATURDAY NIGHT
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:07 PM PDT reply actions
HAHAHAHA
It’s the third quarter of Blazers-Rockets. Amazing.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 8:08 PM PDT reply actions
Have I missed the greatest basketball series ever? I only watched the end of game 1. Has it really been that good?
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
Ever? No
But that word gets thrown around liberally. You’ve been missing great things young fella.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Apr 30, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ll watch Game 7. It better not let me down.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
by rollonubears on Apr 30, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
For those who are lazy and want the Bulls-Celtics series condensed into 10 minutes or lesss
Too lazy. You got anything less?
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Sure how about FLAGGED
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 1, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
It's safe to say Heat-Hawks is the anti Bulls-Cs
What a dull, lifeless series. I hope the Cavs sweep the winner off the court.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 1, 2009 11:49 PM PDT reply actions
I just wish
Josh Smith would realize what sort of player he COULD be with his physical gifts. (although I suppose there’s a long long line of players who have never matched their game to their potential – Derrick Coleman, Stromile Swift, Yi Jianlian, Joe Berry Carroll, Benoit Benjamin, Travis Outlaw, etc .etc.)
Josh Smith looks like he lets his talents get to his head.
Which isn’t a bad thing, he just loves to explode and and make the crazy play (block or dunk). He’d probably love being an acrobat. But he really doesn’t focus on many other parts of his game. He’s like Dominique without technique.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Stromile Swift was just crushed by the fact that he had to leave Vancouver. He was going to be the greatest player evair. There was sooo much excitement about him in Vancouver. And then the team left. Fuck you, former Grizzlies owner whose name I don’t know.
I still have my foam hand grizzly claw.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
by rollonubears on May 2, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Leaving Vancouver is one of the stupidest things the NBA ever did. Especially for freaking Memphis.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t know how attendance was there. I remember we went to a lot of Grizzlies and B.C. Lions games because the tickets were pretty cheap. We went to one Canucks game. It was upper deck. And like $100 a ticket. Which pretty much explains why we only went to one Canucks game.
Looking back, the Grizzlies had a bunch of pretty talented guys. I wonder why that team never really gelled. I really only remember 5 guys from that team off the top of my head, but a few of them were good. Shareef, Bibby, and Michael Dickerson were all good players. Stromile was just a rookie. And Big Country…. yeah not so much.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
I feel this could be a blowout
Five great games in six so far? You just feel like the champs will take it home.
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He makes me happy, because I feel like I could play NbA basketball. I mean if he can…
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
You need to be a ginger too I think. Like him and Bonner.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I got around to watching this. Aren’t you proud of me Avinash?
Question though: Derrick Rose would be one of the top 5 wide receivers of all time right? I’ve been watching this game and just imagining him being a wide receiver. And thinking about it, there is no way he wouldn’t be absolutely dominant.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
Question though: Derrick Rose would be one of the top 5 wide receivers of all time right? I’ve been watching this game and just imagining him being a wide receiver. And thinking about it, there is no way he wouldn’t be absolutely dominant.
Uhhh….what? What are you drawing this opinion from?
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
His ridiculous athleticism. His leaping ability. His size. As long as he has good hands he would be amazing.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
The biggest thing about being a wide receiver is running routes and communicating with your quarterback. I dunno how good of a cutter Rose is. Usually you’ll see more shooting guards and small forwards with better athleticism.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Apparently Lebron was all-state WR. I think Dwight would be a monster TE if he had good hands. He is just an absolute freak of nature.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
He's 7'1 dude.
You tackle him and his legs will go out under him.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
And you can't compare anyone in the NBA to King LeBron
He’s on another realm.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
How in the name of everything Oski did we not recruit that guy?
Marshawnthusiastic Jahvidtician and member of the PRileytariat.
Ben Braun hates offense?
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Paul Pierce isn't even playing well
And the Cs are dominating. Bulls don’t look like they’re prepared to play.
I can’t believe Scalabrine is the third or fourth best player in a Game 7. This is disgusting.
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So many bad shots
Bulls are dribbling, dribbling, dribbling…
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually on further review
Just a good hard play, but if he was a second late on that…
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Thomas or Rider?
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Tony Allen is the atrocious part of Isiah Rider.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
They've got to stop doubling Pierce and Allen...
Celtics keep on going to screen and roll, screen and roll….
How the hell is this only a six point game. Boston refuses to kill Chicago.
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I'm not sure if this is the greatest series of all time
More like “each team isn’t good enough to close a freaking game.” Awesome theater, not exactly A+ basketball.
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Kind of like how Chicago just gave up an open layup (and pretty much the game) with 40-something seconds left. Ugh.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Yeah
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't take Brian Scalabrine seriously
He looks like Will Ferrell in Semipro.
Marshawnthusiastic Jahvidtician and member of the PRileytariat.
Luckily nobody is watching the Canucks game so nobody saw them give up a breakaway goal when they were on the powerplay. I had to stop watching for 5 minutes because that is the most angry I have been in years and I needed to cool down.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
Hockey thread
Vent in the hockey thread…
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Most angry since your binky was taken away about 3 years ago"?
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Must have a helluva tailor. That looked sweet.
Marshawnthusiastic Jahvidtician and member of the PRileytariat.
If Powe hadn't gotten injured they'd have won this series in 5
…I think.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm torn
Powe’s injury helped make this series so damned great because Chicago could attack so much inside. Do I trade great sports theater for the Powe Show? Man…
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Sigh
Eddie House: 5-5, 4-4 3s
Chicago should have let Pierce kill them. Too many wide open looks for House.
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Boston-Orlando?
I have no idea how that series is going to go. Orlando’s recent bout of horrible inconsistency should be an interesting matchup against the injured Celtics.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Boston wins in 6.
Orlando was exposed by Philly. Chicago was the worst possible matchup for Boston.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 2, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
That Cleveland-Miami 'series' is finally over
God, what a mess.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 3, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions
Really wondering what'll happen with Dallas-Denver
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 3, 2009 12:45 PM PDT reply actions
Yellow fever, I forget, you like that villanous brute Kenyon Martin right?
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 3, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions
I don't like K. Mart
1. He’s the one who really propagated the A-Rod type nicknames in the NBA. Ugh.
2. He’s fugazi.
My mother said that if I didn’t have something nice to day I shouldn’t say them at all. Therefore, I’ll keep the negatives about Boston to myself. As a positive, there does seem to be some genuine animosity between Chicago and Boston, which could lead to greater intensity during the regular season, and I think that is a good thing.
Looking at any game, or series you can point to any number of things and say if this were different the whole outcome would have changed. I’m not going to do that, the Bulls were lucky the Celtics were missing their free throws in the second half, it allowed them to hang around and eventually make a run. It looked as if the Bulls were primed to make this run 2 or 3 times, but a stupid unforced turnover or missing an open and makeable shot seemed to temporarily kill the momentum (immaturity?). In the end, the game came down to what the Bulls wanted. They were within striking range, they had an opportunity, and they went to Gordon. Unfortunately, Gordon couldn’t deliver. He missed several makeable shots for him. If you look at the stat sheet he scored a lot, but his points came from the free throw line, while his field goal percentage was bad, horrible if you discount the opening of the game. You may say he is a streak shooter and the percentages caught up with him after that redonkulous game 2, but midway through the series he pulled a muscle in his leg, and with exception to the second half of the game he got injured in, his shooting percentage dropped steadily. I’m not blaming the injury for the Bulls losing (it really can’t be done against a KG and Powe-less Celtics team), but I do question the logic of going to Gordon again and again down the stretch of the game when he clearly wasn’t producing. Perhaps try Rose? Perhaps Salmons?
Anyway, the Celtics won. They played hard, as they always do, you can’t knock them for that. The bench came alive, I can understand losing to House, but Scalabrine, REALLY!?!?! Boston has an assemblage of great perimeter players in Rondo, Allen, and Pierce, going forward I question Pierce’s stamina. I think Allen as a dead-red catch and shoot player will withstand fatigue, particularly since Orlando’s perimeter players shouldn’t challenge them nearly as much on defense. I think Rondo will be happy to leave this series. He was the MVP for the Celtics, but I felt he became a little overwhelmed by the spotlight after the Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich Saga, he shrank and stopped attacking the rim, and was actually careless with the ball down the stretch in game 7 (which was completely unlike him).
To sum up, I am a Bulls fan, and I think the Bulls should have won this series. I question the coaching constantly, but I’ve stopped trying to convince the world he’s an idiot because the Bulls never really hired him to be a playoff coach. They wanted a cheap coach, while they continue to pay Scott Skiles to coach in Milwaukuee. Furthermore, in spite of the coaching, the Bulls still had an opportunity to win the series. They didn’t. They ran out of big shots, and they doomed themselves with far too many stupid turnovers. I hope they learn from this year. I hope Noah learns just how physicaly playoff basketball is, and dedicates himself to adding some muscle in the offseason, ditto for Tyrus (I also hope he learns the difference between a good shot and a bad shot). I hope Rose works on stabilizing his jump shot, and playing defense. I hope the Bulls can resign Gordon to a reasonable contract (no Kobe money please).
We should also acknowledge these are both severely limited teams, and neither has a shot at the title, but they did put forth one of the most entertaining series we’ve seen in a long time. and I’m happy for that.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
by chowder on May 4, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Beautiful summary, rec'd
This is a really good summary of what happened in this series.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, I did something I usually don’t do. I brought my girlfriend to the Bear’s Lair to watch the game. She isn’t a big sports person, but fortunately she had a lot of fun, and was actually asking me when the next Lakers game was. She said she enjoys basketball more than football, which makes sense because I think basketball is much simpler to a newby. Put the ball in the hoop and you get points, at this line it is 1 point, at this line 3, everywhere else is 2. If you hit someone its a foul. All pretty simple stuff, no explaining of downs, field goals, onside kicks, touchdowns, xtra points, 2 point conversions, etc.
There was also a female bartender who unbuttoned her shirt down below the bra line (she must have been using the double-stick tape). It was fun to talk about.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Neither can he.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
by rollonubears on May 4, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Orlando has the better team but God do they fall apart
You have the feeling they’ll gag away two/three games they should win in this series. And that’s all the difference in the world.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
His love for the Rockets
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I see
I didn’t get a good enough look on tv to see the logo. I thought we had gone back to 1992.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
I long for the age of flattops
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Derek Fisher thought he was Hakeem all of a sudden
With those bizarre moves in the paint.
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Strong start for the Rockets
Lakers look very sluggish, and they’re running at Houston’s slower pace. Very good defense, not too many easy points in the paint.
LA’s crowd sucks. They get worse every year.
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They have to be the quietest crowd in the NBA. It’s silent unless there are two minutes left in a close game.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
The fans have been priced out by the pseudo celebrities. It’s like playing their game at a mausoleum.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Last I remember, Yankee games were pretty loud
Even in the playoffs when tickets were more expensive.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
The new Yankee Stadium hasn’t been the most crowded venue since it opened, mostly because seats are so expensive.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Eh
Most baseball stadiums are going to look like that in the years to come if ticket prices stay that way. I was referring to playoff crowds.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Lakers have won every 4th quarter this season
And won every game against Houston. Here we go again…
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MING DYNASTY
Big, big freethrows for Yao.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 10:12 PM PDT reply actions
LA is settling for too many long jump shots. They’re not falling and LA is not winning this one.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Rockets are a good defensive team
Let’s see how LA responds. They didn’t do very well against good defense last year.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 4, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I've been telling everyone
The Rockets are going to give the Lakers way more trouble than anyone thinks – two main reasons:
1. They have 2 elite wing defenders who play completely different styles (Battier outthinks and anticipates and out positions his opponents, while Ron Ron just beats on you) – Kobe WILL get his, but it won’t be efficient (today 32 points on 31 shots) – those are numbers the Rockets can live with.
2. Bynum being semi-healthy for the Lakers. This is completely overlooked in the media – Yao has HUGE trouble with mobile centers who can shoot from the outside. If the Lakers went with a front court of Odom, Gasol and Ariza – Yao would be in big trouble against Pau. But Bynum gives Yao someone to defend and also dominate in the post. Yao does poorly against quicker smaller defenders – but match him up against a true 5 (Dwight, Big Z, Bynum, the Vanilla Gorilla, Dampier, Perkins . . .and I think that’s really it) – and Yao will eat their lunch. It’s a blessing that Bynum is healthy (and only moderately so) for the Rockets.
I’m not saying the Rockets will win – betting against Kobe is a tough bet – but with the ability to defend like they do, they’ll be in almost every game and with Yao and Ron Ron playing well, they can give the Lakers a lot of trouble. (And honestly if they made the Finals against the Cavs – same story)
The guy on the bottom
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I did wonder why they didn't use Pau more
Instead of feeding it to Bynum over and over. That team is so reliant on its ball movement…and Bynum just brings everything to a halt. That ball should have been fed to Pau at the weak side post against Scola, over and over and over. He’s an offensive machine. But instead jumpers, jumpers, jumpers.
It’s not a big deal for the Lakers. Bynum should be coming off the bench, and if Phil knows what he’s doing he’ll put Odom back in the starting lineup. Lakers should be RUNNING THE BALL UP THE COURT, with Andrew in there you have to move at a slower pace which helps the Rockets. Bynum should be spending this series dunking on Chuck Hayes at the start of the 2nd and 4th quarters.
Oh yeah, no more Josh Powell. Why are the Lakers going big and slow? That’s exactly what the Rockets want them to do.
Really that’s only their second biggest problem. Their first problem is solving who should guard Aaron Brooks. I’m guessing Phil’s going to try and put Farmar on him, which might solve the defensive issues but would open up another set of problems (Farmer has had trouble doing ANYTHING right on the court the past two months). Phil tinkers well though, we’ll see what happens in Game 2.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
As someone
who has watched about 200 Rockets games in the last 3 years, let me note that Chuck Hayes is an AMAZING defender. He gives you absolutely zero scoring on the offensive end (excellent high post passer though, and decent rebounder especially for his 6’6" size) and I’m not sure what his metrics are for opponent scoring, I’m only sure that when he’s in the game, the opposing power forward stops scoring and starts turning the ball over. If not for his limited playing time, he would be a perennial member of the All Defensive team.
I even think he’s a better defender than Battier and Artest.
This is what I’m refering to his opponent stats (per 82games.com) – the opposing power foward when he’s on the court has a eFG% of 38%
Yeah, but Bynum has the strength to power his way in the box. I saw a lot of Gasol on Hayes, which I didn’t really like for LA to do.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially with Mutombo out
They are deeply undersized and vulnerable down in the post.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 3:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I respect the dude, and I love the way the Cavs bond together
But I HATE the way they play.
Bork bork bork!
Of course, by dude, I mean this guy
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank you Chuck
Confirmation bias at work!
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m still bitter towards Big Ben for the way he torpedoed Chicago’s season last in 07-08.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
That contract was stupid from the beginning. Blame Pax for that one.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
from what i hear through the rumor mill, it was more Reinsdorf (the owner) that had a man crush on Big Ben. But yes, incredibly dumb.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Reinsdorf wouldn't shell out money for Scottie Pippen
But went instead for the Fro machine. Sounds perfectly like him.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
The rumor about reinsdorf is that he plays favorites. There are his guys (Hinrich, Deng, Big Ben, etc.) and there are players he doesn’t like (Pippen, Gordon, Horace Grant). I’m not going to argue the merits of each signing because its all in the past and I don’t think highly of the guy to begin with. It is just one of the many theories I’ve heard.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Kidd's reallllly having trouble handling the rock
Billups has been working him over.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 5, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions
What a fiasco. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cavs finish off either of these teams in 5 games.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Yeah it's a little depressing
Orlando could’ve been a good challenge. Don’t think that anymore.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Rockets played decent defense but weathered the storm
Rallied from 14 and tied it up at halftime. Lakers can’t nail a 3 to save their lives, they’re just clogging Gasol and Odom in the lane and forcing them to take jumpers.
Bork bork bork!
This game has been ridiculous
Fisher gets tossed, Kobe nails Artest in the neck, Artest gets ejected for coming right back at Kobe, Scola and Odom trashtalking. Foul foul foul foul.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 10:08 PM PDT reply actions
But I kinda loved it
I don’t see competitiveness like that in the NBA that often anymore.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel the same way.
The Lakers/Rockets and Celtics/Bulls series were especially chippy, but I loved the passion from each team. I’m thrilled when these seven-game series turn into miniature and short-lived rivalries.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
It's like Knicks/Heat
Remember that stuff? Masochism at its finest.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Except these guys can play basketball
Knicks and Heat were playing rugby.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I loved those series (especially since the Knicks usually won). So much animosity between the two. It seems like there was a fight every time they met in the playoffs.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Bulls-Knicks is probably the better analogy
Big star versus tough team.
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Gotta mention how much I love Artest
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 11:01 PM PDT reply actions
Kinda wish he'd control himself a little bit
His intensity is his undoing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMyyLdRixI
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by Avinash Kunnath on May 7, 2009 2:42 AM PDT up reply actions
LeonPowe is validated!
Somebody somewhere has these stats, I’d imagine. If you post up Hayes’ man, I’ll bet you my laptop that man’s offensive efficiency tends to be vastly lower than it is against the average defender.
The Lakers tried it for a stretch with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Nothing doing. Hayes is just too strong, too smart and too good getting low and using leverage to get the offensive player where he wants him.
If you were teaching post defense, you’d show your players video of Chuck Hayes, and they’d learn a lot. Show them a box score with Chuck Hayes’ stats in it, though, and they wouldn’t learn a thing.
Bork bork bork!
loving the playoffs
Hey Avinash, haven’t read all the comments on this post, so maybe you already stated but which nba team gets your allegiance?
I recently had a conversation about ranking which team among all the sports, am I the biggest fan of… (that sentence somehow made sense).. that was a tough one to think about.
loving the playoffs..
get off me bandwagoners!
http://blog.cleancutmedia.com
None, really
I love the game of basketball. I drift toward a style a certain team plays (I like Houston this year for their scrappy hustle and pretty tenacious defense, and I actually don’t mind the way the Lakers play), but I follow players more. I’m fascinated by how Kobe and Artest will respond to the counterpunches in this series, I love Rondo’s growth in these playoffs. Ray Ray’s doing what he used to do in Seattle and Milwaukee; nail dagger jumpers. Denver is a team of madmen. Yao has the opportunity to carry his team to a huge upset. And of course King Lebron is lording over all.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 7, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
No. Your team hasn’t been interesting since Mr. Reggie “I’ll push off every defender in my way” Miller took his curtain call.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 7, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Not going to lie, I cried during his last game. That was like 5th grade. Reggie was my hero. I have his jersey hung up in my room. I loved him to death. I didn’t want to admit it was over, but when Larry Brown called that timeout I knew it was. And I cried my eyes out.
We have Granger now. We are a real threat for the playoffs next year. Don’t be too quick to dismiss us.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
You're a threat for an 8th seed
And a first round bounce off by LeBron. Maybe 7th seed and a first round bounce off by Dwight Howard. One of the two.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 7, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, Ron Artest wasn't making up that story
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-40-34/Not-Making-Up-the-Stabbing-Story—Ron-Artest.html
A 19-year-old basketball player from Queens was fatally stabbed with a broken-off table leg today after a fight broke out during a basketball tournament, the police said.
The player, Lloyd Newton, was stabbed in the back with a leg from the scorer’s table at the championship game of a Y.M.C.A.-sponsored tournament at the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club, the police in Niagara Falls said.
“An argument ensued about the score,” Capt. Louis Curcione said, adding that one of the teams “thought they were getting gypped.”
“A fight broke out between the players and about 40 fans in the stands,” he said. “In the course of the fight, one person was stabbed in the back.”
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