2008 NBA Finals

[garrysempire]

first in the plate is the LA Lakers! GO Lakers!

[doctor_x]

Game 3-'nuff said. :(

We'll never know who the true western champs were because of the refs.


I'm beginning to wonder if the games aren't fixed?
It's happened in other sports in times past-so why not today?

I wonder if Kobe will even give any props to his teammates?

[kontrol]

We'll never know who the true western champs were because of the refs.


We could've said the same thing last year when the Spurs beat the Suns.

[Jarimy123]

Yea NBA games are rigged - that's why the Spurs have been the dominant team of the past decade. The freaking Spurs. Their star player doesn't talk and they come from San Antonio - yea that's what the NBA wants, the Spurs as the most dominant team in the league. Because San Antonio Texas is just the place for basketball, basketball is HUGE there! Uh, no. Hahaha, you probably also think that the government sprays the country with a chemical to keep us calm.

That's why the Knicks, Celtics, Bulls have STUNK forever, Celtics being the exception this year, and teams like the Hornets are on fire. yea New Orleans, a real hot bed for baskeball...

[Raiserb1ade]

Game 3-'nuff said. :(

We'll never know who the true western champs were because of the refs.

On the play before Derek Fisher's shot grazed the rim yet they called it an airball which forced the missed shot to even put the spurs in that position. So really it goes both ways.

And yes we do know who the true western champs are. It's the L.A. Lakers who won the series 4 games to 1. Pretty dominant if you ask me.

[mike_houghton]

Yea NBA games are rigged - that's why the Spurs have been the dominant team of the past decade. The freaking Spurs. Their star player doesn't talk and they come from San Antonio - yea that's what the NBA wants, the Spurs as the most dominant team in the league. Because San Antonio Texas is just the place for basketball, basketball is HUGE there! Uh, no. Hahaha, you probably also think that the government sprays the country with a chemical to keep us calm.

That's why the Knicks, Celtics, Bulls have STUNK forever, Celtics being the exception this year, and teams like the Hornets are on fire. yea New Orleans, a real hot bed for baskeball...
are you serious ... the celtics are a few years removed from playing in the eastern conference finals? that hardly equates with forever. The Bulls have the same thing..the 2 years before this one they were decent and definitely didnt stink... i got nothing on the Knicks though :P

[mike_houghton]

I hate that the Celtics have won. It doesnt make much logic but the way that they got here is messed up to me. ESPN shouts how they had the greatest turnaround ever... yeah that happens when you add 2 all stars to your team.. one of which is a certifiable HOFer. I think it would be something to brag about if they got the turnaround by using the players they had. It isnt the same team as last year and shouldnt be compared to last year.
The Pistons took a bunch of half decent players and made them mesh and taught them to play a style of basketball that doesnt require a superstar.
I dislike the Lakers too, but for different reasons. Though I dislike them I am glad they got there over the Spurs. I just want everyone to realize it took Andrew Bynum coming out, and then when he went down Pau coming over (wtf was Memphis thinkin?)to put them over. Kobe couldnt get it done with what he had, and now that he has the pieces he should be able to get a ring, but it wont be on his own.

[spiderman9797]

and now that he has the pieces he should be able to get a ring, but it wont be on his own.
No player ever won a ring on his own.

yea New Orleans, a real hot bed for baskeball...
I don't see why we wouldn't be considered a "hot bed" for basketball. Considering it has an enormous amount of crazed sports fans who are craving a win from the Saints as well as being a predominantly African American city (demographics show that African Americans are drawn the most to basketball), it's certainly not a city that is anti-basketball.

But I do understand the point you're trying to make and I agree with it.

[/QUOTE=doctor_x]Game 3-'nuff said.

We'll never know who the true western champs were because of the refs.[/QUOTE]
You ARE kidding, right? The Lakers beat them 4 games to 1. That's not even close. It's not like they won it by one game, in the final seconds. They won it by 3 games, and most of them were blowouts.

The Spurs were done after game 1. The moment they let Kobe bring his team back from a 20 point deficit, they're confidence was shaken and they couldn't come back from that. The Lakers showed that they were the better team, they had better players (hell, Kobe alone is better than any 2 of their players), and they had more drive to win.

Now, if you want to continue that argument we can go back a year ago and argue that the Suns, who were beating the Spurs, would have gone to the Finals if Hory had not hurt Steve Nash as well as provoked Amare Stoudemire to take one step onto the court. Most, if not all, unbiased NBA viewers that I know agree that without that incident, the Suns would have not only beaten the Spurs but won the Finals. It was history-altering.

[shazam256]

first in the plate is the LA Lakers! GO Lakers!
GO LAKERS!!!:)

[lensnart]

I hate the Lakers with a passion but even I am pumped for a lakers vs Celtics final. It's like I am back playing on my Sega Genesis.

Also It is hilarious to hear people complain about the Celtics only being there because of trades when the Lakers would not be anywhere near the final without Gasol. Now I am just counting on Kobe being too selfish on the big stage to win and Allen, Pierce and Garnett being too dominant for the Lakers D to contend with.

I would sure love to see a class act like Ray Allen win a much deserved ring.

Go Celtics!!

[The Mattador]

Game 3-'nuff said. :(

We'll never know who the true western champs were because of the refs.

Are you a Spurs fan? You sound like one...the same thing won the Western Conference finals for the Spurs last year against Phoenix!


I'm beginning to wonder if the games aren't fixed?
It's happened in other sports in times past-so why not today?

There may be some questions about the integrity of the referees, but that's just an asinine statement to make with no real proof...


I wonder if Kobe will even give any props to his teammates?

Dude, Kobe has been a model citizen in the NBA this season and has been a better teammate than just about any other player in the league! He has carried his team on his back this year and is getting everything he deserves. So I think you're way off base here...

[AEONFLUX]

Match ups, match ups, and match ups... It is what the NBA is all about.

1. Talk L.A. defense for a second... How will they defend? When Boston is clicking, the ball movement is stretching body position, leads to a back pass to Garnett for the assist or 16 footer. If they are able to slow that down, you have Pierce to get you a shot....

Garnett should be able to abuse Gasol as if Child Protective Services needed to be called... Gasol will make Garnett work on D, but that is nothing for someone who loves to play D.

Allen is showing a bit of a pulse... if he gets going and can put up 17-21 a game, Celtics in 5.


Of course this all leads to ... Kobe.. can they stop him?

Nope.

Can they make him work? Yeah.. look at it this way, Kobe will get his, probably average 29-34 a game...

Now if he is going 12-20 from the field and handing out 4-6 assists as well as steals and rebounds??

Lakers win.

If he goes 10-35 with the same???

Celtics win.


My prediction?

Celtics in 6.

[doctor_x]

"Oh I get by with a little 'elp from my refs!
Gonna fly with a little 'elp from my refs!

I'm sorry, but I will not ascribe the Lakers as the true western champs since the NBA ADMITTED their error.

It's just like Charles Barkley telling the Spurs that they were not the true champs during that NBA strike season when they only played like a 1/2 season and won it. :p


[There may be some questions about the integrity of the referees, but that's just an asinine statement to make with no real proof...]


A ref got caught last year throwing games so he could make $$$.
Don't know his name-do your own homework. ;)
I think it was in Florida.


[Are you a Spurs fan? You sound like one...the same thing won the Western Conference finals for the Spurs last year against Phoenix!]

No, I hate the Spurs too. I just hate the Lakers more...

Oh my gawd! Somebody breathed on Duncan!

Foul!!!!!!

I especially hate when Parker goes to the line and makes that "Gollum" face. lol


;)

[Jarimy123]

Lakers in six. Lakers have a good enough defense and had an easier road to get there. Lakers are going to win multiple championships in the next few years. They did all this without Bynum for most of the year and none in the play offs. I don't like the Lakers, I'm a bulls fan, but it does not look good for any Laker haters out there. As far as the turn around thing with the Celtics, that's what major sports is, getting players to fit together. Big deal they are stars, that's what it's about. The Pistons are old, and their coach is about to get canned again, good luck with all that. If you watch any sports you know how teams that go through multiple coaches works out.... Anyway lakers in 6 is my pick.

[Raiserb1ade]

I'm sorry, but I will not ascribe the Lakers as the true western champs since the NBA ADMITTED their error.


Right because Bad Calls never get made. Ever.

Your statement reeks of denial. You don't think the lakers are the western conference champs because of one game? They beat the spurs 4 to 1. Not 4 to 3.

But yeah keep telling yourself that the spurs are the "real champs" if you want. :cheeky:

[malakim2099]

Hey, if any western team gets to complain about bad calls, it's the Jazz. Because it was pretty darn consistent all throughout their series with the Lakers.

Laker defenders mug a guy on the way to the basket - no foul

Jazz defender gets within a foot of a Laker on the way to the basket - foul

Eventually, if you aren't getting the calls, you start taking the fadeaway jumpers instead of driving because, well, at least you have a chance of making a jumper, right? :tired: I mean, if it gets to the point where the LA Sportswriters are commenting on how bad the officiating is, then you have a problem.

That little Pau Gasol shove at the end of Game 5 ranks up there with MJ blasting Byron Russell to the floor at the end of the Finals. Feh. A pox on the NBA!

(And Celtics in 6. I'm bitter.)

[Dark Flash2099]

I'm going to weigh in now because, well, I'm bored and I want to type stuff.

I grew up a Celtics fan, mainly because of Larry Bird. Being a white kid from Wisconsin, Bird gave me hope that some day, I could play basketball. Naturally, that didn't happen, but I still had that hope growing up.

That said, It'll be the Celtics in 7. This year's NBA Finals are going to be epic.

[mike_houghton]

BRENT BARRY SAID THEY DIDNT LOSE THE GAME ON THAT SHOT. lol they lost 4 out of five games? I hate Kobe... he so fairweather, but I think they won fair and square.

[doctor_x]

I just hope the Lakers/Celtics series goes a full 7 games.


Go Celtics!!!!

[Jarimy123]

I just wish LAs front office/GM would have been dumb enough to trade Kobi to Chi-Town.

[Jarimy123]

I just wish LAs front office/GM would have been dumb enough to trade Kobi to Chi-Town.

[AEONFLUX]

I actually thought that was a possibility a few years ago (I think) when the talk was "everyoneonthebullsplusJerry'slefttesticle" for Kobe.

Looking back on the Bulls of the last few years, it may have been the thing to do in retrospect.

Course Kobe is a "me" player so unless they brought him some help he would have been the same old Kobe of the last few years until this year.

[malakim2099]

Yay! Go Celtics! :)

[garrysempire]

wah! kobe do more scoring in game 2! wah!

[Raiserb1ade]

The lakers lost because Kobe didn't bring his A game.

Pau was good.
Odom was good.
Fisher was good.
The bench was good.

But the final piece to the puzzle wasn't there. If Kobe keeps going 9/26 the Lakers don't stand a chance.

[Jarimy123]

It was 1 game. It was a must win for the celtics. I still think the lakers win in 6. Kobe will not have another off night like that. But I do hope the celtics win. KG deserves it

[doctor_x]

Wow!

Goooooo Celtiiiiiics!!!!


They were smokin' in game 1 last night.

If they can keep it up and don't get sidelined by injuries, they could possibly sweep the Lakers.

They looked good. :knockedou

[Raiserb1ade]

If they can keep it up and don't get sidelined by injuries, they could possibly sweep the Lakers.

Well I think they have an excellent shot at winning there is no way in hell that the Celtics will sweep.

[spiderman9797]

The lakers lost because Kobe didn't bring his A game.

Pau was good.
Odom was good.
Fisher was good.
The bench was good.

But the final piece to the puzzle wasn't there. If Kobe keeps going 9/26 the Lakers don't stand a chance.

It's quite hard for Kobe to bring his A-game when you have as great a defensive team as the Celtics.

[Raiserb1ade]

It's quite hard for Kobe to bring his A-game when you have as great a defensive team as the Celtics.

No, not really. Kobe got his usual shots he just didn't make a lot of them.

[Darkseid Sr.]

No, not really. Kobe got his usual shots he just didn't make a lot of them.

Unfortunately, I feel that he and Lebron refuse to not take shots. They'll take 'em regardless of the situation. Kobe to a lesser extent, at least to me.

[spiderman9797]

No, not really. Kobe got his usual shots he just didn't make a lot of them.

We can't just discredit the stats. He missed a good bit of shots because they were contested, tough shots. He missed a -few- open shots, but everyone does.

[AEONFLUX]

Exactly, and if you look at the previous Bos/LA matchups earlier this year you see his percentage isnt all that spectacular.

Granted, he is sick... I was watching the game when he hit the one "sideaways" falling out of bounds 20 some footer with a few seconds on the shot clock....

Announcer says... "6 seconds on the shot clock"

I look at my friend and say... "Great, here comes something amazing."

And it was, lol.

Kobe will need to be a bit more selective in his shots and look to move the ball around a bit more, when they were passing, they were making it look easy.

Game 2 is always a "never saw that coming" game, look for a relative unknown to put up some numbers tomorrow night.

[Raiserb1ade]

We can't just discredit the stats. He missed a good bit of shots because they were contested, tough shots. He missed a -few- open shots, but everyone does.

Like I said... Kobe got his usual shots. Contested "tough" shots are his bread and butter.

[AEONFLUX]

You must have watched a different game than most... he got his shots yes, were they contested? Yes?

Does he face this level of team defense night in and night out in the regular season? Nope.

Hence his poor shooting.

Getting your "contested" shots off against say a Miami or Memphis is one thing, getting your contested shots off against a Boston or Detroit or (insert any tough defensive team.) is another thing entirely.

Maybe if I didn't play PG for over 15 years I could see it differently.

Every team in the league will "contest" a shot, not every team in the league will actually "contest" a shot. Meaning it's one thing to put a hand up in someones face when shooting... but how about all the little things that are done before the shot is even made?

The denying of floor position, the help defense, the hands in passing lanes, the hedging of an area to help out last second. The decisions being imposed on an offensive player by a team defense dictating when and where he will take his shot.

Like I said, Kobe has not shot well against Bos all year... expect it to continue, what needs to be done on the part of L.A. is getting more people other than Gasol involved.

Odom needs a 22pt 14reb game, Gasol has to average 23ppg.... Fischer needs to stop getting pimp slapped by Cassell.

Lakers have nothing to worry about as long as Kobe tightens up his six shooter and gets a few more people rolling before dropping 15 in the 4th as he wants to do.

Do that and L.A. wins... stay the current course and Bos in 6.

[Raiserb1ade]

You must have watched a different game than most... he got his shots yes, were they contested? Yes?

I agree with you so far.


Does he face this level of team defense night in and night out in the regular season? Nope.

So far so good.


Hence his poor shooting.
:rolleyes:
Kobe has shown that when he is on top of his game there isn't a player or even a team out there that can stop him. I see his poor shooting as just that poor shooting. The celtics didn't shut him down he just missed his shots. I guess I just don't feel that the celtics defense had as big of an effect on him then you do.




Maybe if I didn't play PG for over 15 years I could see it differently.
Haha. :cheeky: I don't blame my opinions on the fact that I have played (and still play as) shooting guard for 10 years. I don't see how that is really relevant to the discussion. Especially considering that KB24 isn't even a point guard.

[AEONFLUX]

Only put in the fact about playing because more often than not discussions on forums regarding sports are being made by people who are not quite as knowledged about the subject as someone who played... no different than someone trying to discuss porn movies with Ron Jeremy. Seen a million of them, but I am sure he has some insight that I am not aware of, lol.

Stats pretty much play out my point.. look at Kobe's stats regarding his play versus Boston. This isn't a one time thing.... He has not been lights out as he normally is against Boston...

Just because you can get a shot off at any time you feel like doesn't necessarily make for a quality shot... Bos was applying enough pressure to fluster him into several bad decisions.... He still made some of those bad decisions look golden, granted.

So if you ever need a 1 who can dish like Tiny Archibald and shoot like Tom Chambers.. I am your man.

Just don't ask me to run.. my knees can hang anymore.

[Raiserb1ade]

I see where you're coming from. And I agree with you mostly. I guess tommorow we will see if Kobe's bad game was a fluke or if the Celtics can really keep him down.

[AEONFLUX]

Nah... knowing my luck... he will go 15-28 from the floor and 12-14 from the line, lol.

[spiderman9797]

That's another big factor of that game. Kobe did not go the line very much at all.

[AEONFLUX]

Thoughts on the 1st quarter.

Gasol and Odom have showed up to play some ball!! Kobe still erratic.. he did make an appearance at the foul line, I was impressed, lol.

Rondo needs to take a few shots, the dishes are nice though. ... it can't just be the Boston 3 Party.

[AEONFLUX]

I look up and see Bos up by 4 with 43 seconds left when the last time I checked we had an 18 point lead.

YYYEAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! HOLD ON!!

[AEONFLUX]

...Game 2 is always a "never saw that coming" game, look for a relative unknown to put up some numbers tomorrow night.


Leon Powe, 15 Minutes 6-7 FGM-A 9-13 FTM-A 21 points.....


His kids will be showing their kids highlights of this game, he was outstanding.

Bos shoots almost 53 percent from the field... LA shot 49.4%.



Too many whistles in this game for my tastes... Kobe started cold but got it going... the trips to the line definitely helped. (7-7)

Thing that has me puzzled... Bos attempts 38 Free Throws to LA's 10?!?!?! (unless I miscounted, lol)
Home cooking is in full effect this series.
Game 3 will be a Lakers win... by 25+ imo.

[Raiserb1ade]

AEONFLUX: 1
Raiserb1ade: 0

:p

[Raiserb1ade]

I think the lakers will win two home games and Boston will take the series in 6.

I still have some hope though... the lakers looked great when they weren't having a complete mental breakdown.

[AEONFLUX]

Yeah, I think Kobe summed it up best in the post game... basically saying;

1. Transition D - Need to improve.
2. Loose balls - Need to hustle.
3. Rebounding - Need to at least compete on the boards.

I think going back to Staples we will see an entirely different Lakers team, and the refs will have their "I love L.A." shirts on.

MY biggest pet peeve will basketball in general, the home cooking. A foul is a foul is a foul and location of the venue should not dictate what gets called on who.

[kontrol]

Leon Powe, 15 Minutes 6-7 FGM-A 9-13 FTM-A 21 points.....


His kids will be showing their kids highlights of this game, he was outstanding.

Bos shoots almost 53 percent from the field... LA shot 49.4%.



Too many whistles in this game for my tastes... Kobe started cold but got it going... the trips to the line definitely helped. (7-7)

Thing that has me puzzled... Bos attempts 38 Free Throws to LA's 10?!?!?! (unless I miscounted, lol)
Home cooking is in full effect this series.
Game 3 will be a Lakers win... by 25+ imo.
Whistles almost always go to the more aggressive team. Boston until the 4th was by far the more aggressive team.

[kontrol]

MY biggest pet peeve will basketball in general, the home cooking. A foul is a foul is a foul and location of the venue should not dictate what gets called on who.
It shouldn't but psychologically speaking, the home team plays harder and more aggressively, that leads to them getting early whistles and forces the away team to play more tentative. The early offensive foul on Kobe forced him to not drive a lot until late.

[doctor_x]

Leon Powe, 15 Minutes 6-7 FGM-A 9-13 FTM-A 21 points.....


His kids will be showing their kids highlights of this game, he was outstanding.

Bos shoots almost 53 percent from the field... LA shot 49.4%.



Too many whistles in this game for my tastes... Kobe started cold but got it going... the trips to the line definitely helped. (7-7)

Thing that has me puzzled... Bos attempts 38 Free Throws to LA's 10?!?!?! (unless I miscounted, lol)
Home cooking is in full effect this series.
Game 3 will be a Lakers win... by 25+ imo.


Gooooo Celtiiiiics!!!!

[Leon Powe, 15 Minutes 6-7 FGM-A 9-13 FTM-A 21 points.....]

Yeah, Powe looked good in game 2 and outperformed Kobe in those 15 minutes too.

MAD PROPS out to the Celtics for playing HARDCORE D and keeping the ball away from Kobe the end of game 2!

Take that Lakers!!! :p


This is what the Lakers have to fear from the Celtics-playing good D.

They have effectively shut down the Lakers so far.

Both teams are very eveningly matched.
Powe looks like a young Kobe.


Except.......The Celtics seemed to have lost focus during the 4th, and the Lakers were just waiting to cash in on thier mistakes.
You can't allow the Lakers to make up a 20 point deficit with more than a minute left on the clock.

That said, the Celtics had better play the best games of their season the next 2 in LA.

I would love to hand a dustpan to Ray Allen and Powe!

So they can Sweeeeeeeeep! :cool:


;)

[Jarimy123]

Did you just say Powe looks like a young Kobe?? Take off your celctics jersey and say that outloud to yourself please, seriously. Say it outloud to yourself and realize what you just said.

[malakim2099]

Did you just say Powe looks like a young Kobe?? Take off your celctics jersey and say that outloud to yourself please, seriously. Say it outloud to yourself and realize what you just said.

Yeah, he wasn't whining and complaining about not getting the ball enough. :p

Seriously, if the Lakers want to get foul calls, maybe they should do this thing... it's called DRIVE TO THE BASKET. Mid-range jumpers are not a good way to run an offense.

[The Mattador]

All I gotta say is that Paul Pierce better get nominated for 'Best Actor In A Live Performance' for that whole knee thing...he knew exactly how to push the Beantown Faithfuls buttons!

It's ridiculous to act like that...if the NBA is going to fine people for flopping, they should suspend him for that!

[lensnart]

All I gotta say is that Paul Pierce better get nominated for 'Best Actor In A Live Performance' for that whole knee thing...he knew exactly how to push the Beantown Faithfuls buttons!

It's ridiculous to act like that...if the NBA is going to fine people for flopping, they should suspend him for that!

Kobe must be fuming about this, that's his schtick. I'm surprised he hasn't trademarked it already.

[Raiserb1ade]

Powe looks like a young Kobe.


This right here discredits anything else you have to say about basketball.
I cannot take anything you say seriously after reading that.

Also don't forget that the celtics SUCK on the road. They are a great home team but road games in the post season have been pathetic for them.

So yeah no sweep for the celtics. They won their first two home games... as expected. It doesn't mean it's the end of the series at all.

And I thought Spurs fanboys were bad. :noid:

[doctor_x]

This right here discredits anything else you have to say about basketball.
I cannot take anything you say seriously after reading that.

Also don't forget that the celtics SUCK on the road. They are a great home team but road games in the post season have been pathetic for them.

So yeah no sweep for the celtics. They won their first two home games... as expected. It doesn't mean it's the end of the series at all.

And I thought Spurs fanboys were bad. :noid:



And ESPECIALLY when Powe blew past the Lakers ans slam dunked on them?

Bam babY!!!

[Also don't forget that the celtics SUCK on the road.]

You must read the rest of my post-you can get past the Powe remark if ya really want to.... ;)

[kontrol]

And ESPECIALLY when Powe blew past the Lakers ans slam dunked on them?

Bam babY!!!

That was amazingly horrible defense. That gave me a first quarter all-star game flashback.

[Raiserb1ade]

And ESPECIALLY when Powe blew past the Lakers ans slam dunked on them?

Bam babY!!!


Horrible defense. Powe just showed that he can dunk. Not that impressive in the NBA.


You must read the rest of my post-you can get past the Powe remark if ya really want to.... ;)

You said the celtics will sweep. I say they will lose at least two road games. And no I cannot "get over" the powe remark because it just shows that you aren't looking at the situation realistically. I like the lakers a lot but I try to keep myself grounded in reality. That's why i'm not going "OMG the lakers will come back!!11!!1! Lakers in 6!!!! Kobe is teh greatest he will dominate!!!"

:cheeky:

[malakim2099]

You know, after watching the introduction for the Lakers from the home announcer, I just have this to say.

Thank goodness I'm not the only one that had to go to the dentist today! Seriously, could he just do anything to kill the energy of the crowd more? :p

[AEONFLUX]

Thoughts on 1st Quarter (Game 3)

1-12 Between the Boston Three Party and it is a tie game??

Rondo is not going to get keep up this pace offensively, they need to get going or this will get blown wide open midway thru 2nd quarter and into the 3rd.

Looks like Kobe has decided to go Samurai Jack on some fools tonight...

This could turn ugly, lol

[AEONFLUX]

Who is this guy in a Ray Allen uniform? Someone must have hit the real Ray on the head with a bottle of Frank's Hot Sauce because he is tingling...

Maybe he channeled his inner Jesus Shuttlesworth??

I have a feeling Kobe is about to get it going again, he kinda cooled here a bit after getting out of the gate hot... and that 9/16 from the line not so good (8:56 left in 4th)

Garnett should stop shooting and see if he can actually pass an eye exam before he shoots again, lol.. tough night for my man shooting wise.

[Gacy's Clown]

All I gotta say is that Paul Pierce better get nominated for 'Best Actor In A Live Performance' for that whole knee thing...he knew exactly how to push the Beantown Faithfuls buttons!

It's ridiculous to act like that...if the NBA is going to fine people for flopping, they should suspend him for that!

Just because he came back out to play, doesn't mean he wasn't hurt or was overreacting. As an athlete myself, I've been injured more times than I can count and virtually every time, I've made it back out on the field or the court. I've even had good performances after being hurt too, which I can only guess comes from being more focused or something. I hurt like a ##### after the game and the next few days, but as a competitor, it takes a lot to keep me from playing. I imagine this is what happened with Pierce as well.:)

[AEONFLUX]

Just because he came back out to play, doesn't mean he wasn't hurt or was overreacting. As an athlete myself, I've been injured more times than I can count and virtually every time, I've made it back out on the field or the court. I've even had good performances after being hurt too, which I can only guess comes from being more focused or something. I hurt like a ##### after the game and the next few days, but as a competitor, it takes a lot to keep me from playing. I imagine this is what happened with Pierce as well.:)

At least he didn't play the John Kitna card, lol.... the I would have had to rip him. Otherwise what he did was 2 parts gamesmanship and one part jazzmatazz.

I'm sure it was painful, but you can't deny he played it up a bit... which is the exact same thing I would have done.

[Gacy's Clown]

I can honestly say that I don't feel like he played it up at all. I've been there numerous times. I've sprained an ankle or what have you and it hurt so bad I couldn't even walk on it and had to be helped off. After continuous stretching and just trying to work it out, I've been able to go back out and play. It will still hurt a little after being out there, then it's like the pain goes away...at least until the game is over with.:)

[Raiserb1ade]

Well that was an interesting game. Kobe looked sweet. Pau and odom were non-existant and somehow we still won.

[Raiserb1ade]

I can honestly say that I don't feel like he played it up at all. I've been there numerous times. I've sprained an ankle or what have you and it hurt so bad I couldn't even walk on it and had to be helped off. After continuous stretching and just trying to work it out, I've been able to go back out and play. It will still hurt a little after being out there, then it's like the pain goes away...at least until the game is over with.:)

I agree with you. When you get playing in a game adrenaline dulls the pain. I don't think he played it up. He hurt his leg but not so bad that he couldn't come back and play through it.

[AEONFLUX]

I have been there myself plenty of times, he was carried off the court by four dudes and was practically crying... it was a Vlade move, don't get me wrong, I'm sure he went down and was like "umm pain x 10, this freaking hurts!!"

Then he was like.. "perfect opportunity." And it was, it wasn't a Willis Reed moment or Bird after smashing his face on the floor, but is was a sweet move.. one that he nor I, if I was in his place, would ever admit to.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On to the game.

if anyone were to not show up, I would have picked Allen.. he has been MIA most of the playoffs, lol... Pierce? wow.. and Garnett shooting, I know you gotta keep shooting if you ever expect to make one, but sometimes you gotta pack it in for the night, forget it and get low get some putbacks and get to rebounding...

Kobe left a window of opportunity for Bos with his free throw shooting, don't expect that window to be open again all series, lol.

Still think Celtics in 6, but I can honestly see L.A. ripping three straight at home.

[Gacy's Clown]

I have been there myself plenty of times, he was carried off the court by four dudes and was practically crying... it was a Vlade move, don't get me wrong, I'm sure he went down and was like "umm pain x 10, this freaking hurts!!"

Then he was like.. "perfect opportunity." And it was, it wasn't a Willis Reed moment or Bird after smashing his face on the floor, but is was a sweet move.. one that he nor I, if I was in his place, would ever admit to.

If you watched the video, you'll see that only three guys (I've even read people say six) carried him off and it wasn't like it was his call on anything. He's in pain and the guys just picked him and carried him back for treatment. He looked like he was incredibly frustrated, rather than "practically crying". Sorry for going on with this, but I just get tired of people acting like all of this was some sort of performance to inspire the crowd or something.


On to the game.

if anyone were to not show up, I would have picked Allen..

Maybe I watched a different game, but he had 25 pts. and was 5/5 for 3's at one point in the game tonight.

Unless of course you meant Tony Allen, then you gotta blame Rivers for that one...:cheeky:

I agree with the rest of your post too.:)

[AEONFLUX]

...Maybe I watched a different game, but he had 25 pts. and was 5/5 for 3's at one point in the game tonight.

Unless of course you meant Tony Allen, then you gotta blame Rivers for that one...:cheeky:

I agree with the rest of your post too.:)


I know Allen showed up tonight... my point was if you were to pick anyone (of the Big 3) to NOT show up PRIOR to the game, it would have been him. (based on playoff performance)

As far as the Pierce/Vlade move.. we can agree to disagree, no biggie.

[kontrol]

Well that was an interesting game. Kobe looked sweet. Pau and odom were non-existant and somehow we still won.

Luckily for the Lakers, Sasha did show up, and Paul and Kevin kinda sorta didn't.

I'm tentative with who I'd say would win Game 4. With all that went wrong for Boston, they still only lost by a couple of points and were always in the game.

[Jarimy123]

yea I don't think the lakers stand a chance. If any of the big 3 for boston has a good game the celtics win game 3 and it is a sweep then. the lakers are done

[kontrol]

yea I don't think the lakers stand a chance. If any of the big 3 for boston has a good game the celtics win game 3 and it is a sweep then. the lakers are done

Well if any 2 of the big three, 'Jesus' had a pretty good game.

[doctor_x]

Both teams last night seemed to struggle finding their rythym and gaining momentum or keeping it over the other.

Plus teams managed to keep the other under 100pts.
It was a different/physical game for sure.

[Jarimy123]

I thought the lakers would destroy them last night, and it was so close with the celtics playing horrible. It's over, the lakers didn't even look like the better team and they won, they says a ton about the series. The lakers just don't match up well with the celtics. It's done.

[Raiserb1ade]

I thought the lakers would destroy them last night, and it was so close with the celtics playing horrible. It's over, the lakers didn't even look like the better team and they won, they says a ton about the series. The lakers just don't match up well with the celtics. It's done.

You can't forget that the lakers had a horrible game as well. Gasol and Odom didn't even score until the second half of the game leaving Kobe to pick up the slack.

So really the game doesn't show much. Two out of the three best players for both teams didn't show up. Lakers won. I still think Boston will take it but it promises to be a good series still.

[lensnart]

Every time he does one of those 30 second half-time interviews I am taken aback by just how unlikable Kobe is. The guys is just such an arrogant jerk.

Also after that game it is obvious that if either KG and Pierce can show up for two of the next five the Celtics are in excellent shape. Though even with a bad shooting game I was impressed by Garnett's hustle, you can never fault that guy's heart.

[Raiserb1ade]

Every time he does one of those 30 second half-time interviews I am taken aback by just how unlikable Kobe is. The guys is just such an arrogant jerk.

Actually Sports illustrated did an excellent piece on Kobe that explained why he rubs people the wrong way. He is one of those guys who is so competitive. He's a complete warrior. It's why he is the best player in the league and also why some people can't stand him.

[Jarimy123]

You can't forget that the lakers had a horrible game as well. Gasol and Odom didn't even score until the second half of the game leaving Kobe to pick up the slack.

So really the game doesn't show much. Two out of the three best players for both teams didn't show up. Lakers won. I still think Boston will take it but it promises to be a good series still.

Gasol and Odom have done nothing in all three games, game three wasn't some sort of glitch on their end, they are what they are in this series. Odom looks like a deer in headlights, Gosol just doesn't match up well. Game three showed everyone the same thing that game 1 and 2 did, the Celtics are the better team. It's over.

[kontrol]

Actually Sports illustrated did an excellent piece on Kobe that explained why he rubs people the wrong way. He is one of those guys who is so competitive. He's a complete warrior. It's why he is the best player in the league and also why some people can't stand him.

Jordan was the same way, if not more so. People loved him. No, Kobe has other personality quirks that make him unlikable, competitiveness is not one of them.

From what little I've seen of Kobe, the difference is he has an aloofness that Jordan apparently never had. It makes him appear unapproachable even with his peers. Until this year, I don't remember seeing Kobe joke around with anybody at all, unless it was an all-star game.

[Jarimy123]

Well he came into the league compared to the next Jordan, he won championships right away with Shaq, so he probably thought "yea I am the next Jordan" so he just got that attitude and smugness and people didn't really know him. No one will ever be as loved as Jordan was. Then the incident in Colorado happened and that made a lot of people hate him. Then he started to lose a lot and realize that he needs his teammates (this year). For some people it's easier to forgive and forget, I like him he's the best player on the planet right now, for other's they just hate him and won't ever like him.

[kontrol]

Well he came into the league compared to the next Jordan, he won championships right away with Shaq, so he probably thought "yea I am the next Jordan" so he just got that attitude and smugness and people didn't really know him. No one will ever be as loved as Jordan was. Then the incident in Colorado happened and that made a lot of people hate him. Then he started to lose a lot and realize that he needs his teammates (this year). For some people it's easier to forgive and forget, I like him he's the best player on the planet right now, for other's they just hate him and won't ever like him.

Early on though he never even made an attempt to be liked. For example, Jordan would when he came to town, invite other stars to hang out and go to dinner. I've never heard anything similar about Kobe. Even not using Jordan as an example, let's use Shaq, I've heard other players say things like Shaq is cool to hang around just as a person. You don't hear stuff like that about Kobe.

Also, Kobe didn't win championships right away, he had to wait 3 or 4 years. Kobe's a great player, but people don't dislike him because he wins or is competitive, he's just not a really social person. Old reports of him just going home when the rest of the Lakers would go hang out were pretty prevalent during their threepeat. And honestly there's nothing wrong with that.

[Jarimy123]

Yea but I'm talking from a fan perspective. People don't hate him because he didn't hang out with other Lakers for dinner. Shaq is liked so much because he is funny with the media, always laughing, and all that. He is a huge competitor. But that's all Kobe is, he never tried to joke around or anything, he just played basketball. Yes there is nothing wrong with that, but people hate him because he never really showed a playful for fun side. He has this year a lot more, he seems to be having fun and jokes with his teammates and all that. Even the commercial where he jumps over the mazzerati (SP? I own a VW so nothing luxury here haha) showed him having fun, even if it was fake. Fans are drawn to people who pay attention to them and are down on there level. I actually felt like I liked Kobe more when he went through the Colorado thing and made it through and changed his image. Those are real life problems that I and many others can relate to. I can't relate to being compared to MJ and winning championships and all that.

[jmz4lyf]

kobe is a type of player where you either love him or you don't.. I don't.:grin:

He's a great player and THE best player in the league today. I just find him too smug. I see him as a bad teammate. He's definitely gotten better at that last one this year leading a bunch of young guys to the finals and FINALLY getting a well-deserved MVP. But I still don't like him and I'm just waiting for all of that to crash and burn at some point. How could you break up one of the deadliest combinations in pro-sports at the time? (Shaq and Kobe) That really doesn't make sense no matter how they try to explain it!:cheeky:

[Jarimy123]

Well the mitch kupcheck didnt' want shaq around anymore. The lakers had a decisions to make really, either get rid of shaq or get rid of kobe. They didn't get along and it was probably just tearing things apart. They made the smart choice and got rid of shaq. The lakers do have a chance to win multiple championships in the next 5 or 6 years, Shaq on the other hand....

[doctor_x]

I honestly can't pick who will win tonight.

IMO-it's still anyone's series.

It will still go to 7 games regardless of who wins I think.

anyways.....Hopefully game 4 will deliver!

*:knockedou*

[lensnart]

Actually Sports illustrated did an excellent piece on Kobe that explained why he rubs people the wrong way. He is one of those guys who is so competitive. He's a complete warrior. It's why he is the best player in the league and also why some people can't stand him.

I don't buy that for a second, Gretzky was ultra competitive and the best player ever and he talked to everyone with respect. Ovetchkin, Crosby, Lebron James, Manning, Favre all of those guys are warriors and every one of them is humble and respectful. Kobe is just an entitled jerk, that speaks to everyone like they are lucky to be in his company.

[Jarimy123]

Maybe if lebron, crosby, and manning and the like were more like Kobe they'd win more championships....


However, Kobe has yet to win without Shaq, but I still think he will win a couple in the next few years.

[Raiserb1ade]

Sorry for not stating what I meant correctly. The article was about how Kobe was so competitive he has an Alpha Male mentality. He also lacks tact which hurts his image. Deep down he isn't a bad guy though his personality just isn't the kind that makes friends easily. If you can earn his respect then you're good with him.

[iceman911]

What ever anybody says.... right now it leads to boston winning. because of the fact that boston has WITHOUT A DOUBT proven that they can win at home..... and they have 2 monre games at home (enough to clinch) they have it right now. . . the lakers will be able to play better because at home the bench (farmar in perticular) play so much better, but dont be surprised if the celtics stole one in LA for just the fact that KG, Ray Allen , and Paul Pierce all have a championship on the eye that no player deserves more than KG !!!

[Jarimy123]

Yea they will win but I wouldn't be so confident going back to Boston down 3-2 if I were a celtics fan, that's just crazy. Celtics will win one in LA and then win in game 6. The lakers beat San Antonio in San Antoni to clinch, if they go back up 3-2 I would not be surprised if they win. Celtics gotta win 1 in LA for anyone to be confident that they will win, going back 3-2 would rock everyone's confidence.

[Raiserb1ade]

Gasol and Odom have done nothing in all three games, game three wasn't some sort of glitch on their end, they are what they are in this series. Odom looks like a deer in headlights, Gosol just doesn't match up well. Game three showed everyone the same thing that game 1 and 2 did, the Celtics are the better team. It's over.

Hmm lets see.

Gasol
Game 1: Hit 6/11 shots. Had 15 points. 8 Rebounds. 4 Assists and 1 steal and block.

Game 2: Hit 8/12 shots. Had 17 points. 10 Rebounds. 4 assists and 1 steal.

Game 3: Hit 3/9 shots. Had 9 points. 12 Rebounds. 2 Assists and no steals or blocks.

Looks like a bad game to me.

Odom
Game 1: Hit 6/11 shots. Had 14 points. 6 Rebounds. 1 Assist and 1 steal.

Game 2: Hit 5/11 shots. Had 10 points. 8 Rebounds. 2 assists and no steals or blocks.

Game 3: Hit 2/9 shots. Had 4 points. 9 Rebounds. 4 Assists and one steal and block.

Once again a noticeably worse game in game three.

[Jarimy123]

Yea game 1 and 2 for them were just great, I mean just stellar, dude those are bench numbers for championship teams, not starter numbers. You're coming at me saying that 15 pts, 17 pts and 14 pts and 10 pts for startes is good?? Are you serious? Laker fan.

[Raiserb1ade]

Yea game 1 and 2 for them were just great, I mean just stellar,
My sarcasm sense is tingling.

dude those are bench numbers for championship teams, not starter numbers.
Yes I know.


You're coming at me saying that 15 pts, 17 pts and 14 pts and 10 pts for startes is good??

No I am not. And I never said they were. If you read my post (:rolleyes:) you can see that I merely stated that they had noticeably worse games in game 3.


Are you serious?

Well uh I guess it's impossible to be "serious" about something I never said. :noid:


Laker fan.

Why yes I am a laker fan, thanks for noticing. :cheeky:

[Jarimy123]

Eh sorry for seeming to attack you, wasn't meant to come off like that. All I'm saying is in 3 games so far those 2 have done nothing, yes 3 was the worse of them all, but they haven't done anything. Game 3 wasn't just a fluke, these guys aren't getting it done, so to say "Well game 3 was only one game" like someone said, it's just not the case.

[kontrol]

I hope at least they shoot free throws better. That was brutal to watch. But I lay the blame on travel and the short turnaround time between game 2 and 3.

[Jarimy123]

Yea but there is no blame for game 1 and 2. Yea the celtics shot more free throws, but the lakers did in game 3 and the game was still short. This series is done if Gasol and Odom continue like this, and through 3 games they have been the sane, mediocre and just plain bad, I don't see how through 3 games anything will change for them in the series.

[kontrol]

I was thinking more about making free throws not who was going to the line. The more aggressive team normally goes to the line more.

[Raiserb1ade]

Eh sorry for seeming to attack you, wasn't meant to come off like that. All I'm saying is in 3 games so far those 2 have done nothing, yes 3 was the worse of them all, but they haven't done anything. Game 3 wasn't just a fluke, these guys aren't getting it done, so to say "Well game 3 was only one game" like someone said, it's just not the case.

Sadly I agree with you. The lakers just haven't shown that they are championship material. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a turnaround but right now it isn't looking good.

[Gacy's Clown]

kobe is a type of player where you either love him or you don't.. I don't.:grin:

He's a great player and THE best player in the league today. I just find him too smug. I see him as a bad teammate. He's definitely gotten better at that last one this year leading a bunch of young guys to the finals and FINALLY getting a well-deserved MVP. But I still don't like him and I'm just waiting for all of that to crash and burn at some point. How could you break up one of the deadliest combinations in pro-sports at the time? (Shaq and Kobe) That really doesn't make sense no matter how they try to explain it!:cheeky:

:laugh: Well-deserved my butt...

[lensnart]

Sorry for not stating what I meant correctly. The article was about how Kobe was so competitive he has an Alpha Male mentality. He also lacks tact which hurts his image. Deep down he isn't a bad guy though his personality just isn't the kind that makes friends easily. If you can earn his respect then you're good with him.

From what I have seen, I have the feeling that deep down he actually is kind of a bad guy. Also you have to give respect to get respect, and until he learns to do the former I don't see things changing for him.

I hope tonight we see a real class act Ray Allen get one game closer to earning a ring. Regardless of my Kobe feelings this should be one heck of a game and one heck of a rest of a series.

[Gacy's Clown]

One reason I can't stand Kobe (regardless of how good he is...and he IS good) is that he's one of the worst players about whining about fouls. The beauty of cable tv these days is that I can repeatedly rewind any play I want while the game is going on and see if a player actually did foul someone or if they got away with something. It's unbelievable how many times he'll foul someone then act like he never even touched the guy. I fully expect this out of the European players, but not him (and don't get technical about where he was born either... :cheeky: ).
As snart mentioned previously, Ray Allen has been called for a few fouls that weren't even close to being fouls, but he didn't even argue the calls at all. This is why he really is a class act.

*now if I could only incorporate that into my own games...*

[mike_houghton]

k...Kobe has done squat on his own.. he gets Gasol or Bynum and Odom and he makes the finals. He wanted traded a year ago... he drove Shaq out, he is nothing but a selfish manipulating man.


As far as the whining about Foul calls goes.. its the new fad.. heck Duncan does it on a regular basis...

[Raiserb1ade]

Damn the lakers look sweet. Up by 17 and Kobe hasn't even made a field goal.

[malakim2099]

Damn the lakers look sweet. Up by 17 and Kobe hasn't even made a field goal.

Yeah, they sure did didn't they? :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

*gets the fork ready*

[Raiserb1ade]

Yeah, they sure did didn't they? :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

*gets the fork ready*

Well at least my team looked good for two quarters. :rolleyes:

:grin:

I have to give props to the celtics. Greatest comeback in finals history. This is pretty much it for the lakers even if they win this next game no way they are going to steal two in a row at boston.

It's been a great season and a part of me is glad that KG is finally going to get a ring (barring a miracle turnaround).

[MrFurious87]

I'm also glad that Garnett is finally getting his dues...not a huge Celtic fan, but they deserve the championship.:) Poor Suns...:cry:

[georgie83]

That was a well-deserved win for the Celtics. They worked hard for that one. It's funny coz my dad joked that the Lakers did SOOO well in the first two quarters that they were too tired to keep it that way till the end. Oh well. here's hoping Celtics don't let it get to game 6

[kontrol]

Now we get to see if the Celtics have the killer instinct (i.e. win a close out game on the road).

[Jarimy123]

Glad I went to bed at the start of the third quarter... I wake up and check my phone this morning to find out the celtics won, WTF! That's crazy.

As far as whoever said Kobe ran Shaq out of LA they both said that wasn't the case, they said it was Mitch Cupcheck because he said Shaq was lazy and wasn't working hard anymore.

[malakim2099]

Now we get to see if the Celtics have the killer instinct (i.e. win a close out game on the road).

Well, you can ask Detroit how well that worked for them. ;)

I'm not a huge Celtics fan... but man, I just can't stand the Lakers. And it's nice to see KG, Pierce, and Ray Allen get theirs.

[doctor_x]

Man, the Lakers were shooting horrible from the freethrow line last night.
I think they missed 5 in a row during the 1st period between Kobe, Odom, and Fischer, and Gasol?
Kobe didn't even have a basket until the 3rd period.

The Celtics couldn't buy a basket hardly during the 1st half.
They kept their composure though, and it paid off for them in the end.

What a game...

*:knockedou*

[jmz4lyf]

Man, the Lakers were shooting horrible from the freethrow line last night.
I think they missed 5 in a row during the 1st period between Kobe, Odom, and Fischer, and Gasol?
Kobe didn't even have a basket until the 3rd period.

The Celtics couldn't buy a basket hardly during the 1st half.
They kept their composure though, and it paid off for them in the end.

What a game...

*:knockedou*

*does universal choking sign*

the Lakers choked! none of them were making shots in the fourth..

incredible game if you're a basketball fan! boston got field goals from all 5 guys playing the fourth! (posey made threes, house hit a 2 and a 3, paul pierce got an and-1, garnet made that cool post move and ray allen iced the game with the late layup..)

Man the game was nuts! It would be nice to have a game 6 though.. even a 7. But right now, Boston is looking nigh unbeatable! (at least to LA..)

[Jarimy123]

I'd rather have them win on Sunday so we can get onto football talk quicker. Waiting around for football to start is horrible.

[lensnart]

The Lakers were great until Kobe decided that he needed to force shots. If he would have just stuck to distributing the ball to the open man, I think they would have won the game. When he had 2 points and 6 assists they were up 24 and when he left the floor the Lakers seemed unstoppable.

Ray Allen on the other hand put up another great performance, it is going to be a tough call between him and Garnett for playoff MVP.

[spiderman9797]

Ray Allen on the other hand put up another great performance, it is going to be a tough call between him and Garnett for playoff MVP.

Really!? Ray or Garnett? To me it's either Paul Pierce or KG, and I'd vote Paul (although I'm a huge KG fan). Paul has been the most consistent and played the hardest, if you ask me.

[Gacy's Clown]

Oddly enough, KG is one of my favorite players and my MVP vote is a toss-up between Allen and Pierce...:cheeky:

[Kite-Man]

I'm a lifelong Celtics die-hard fan and missed this game. OF ALL THE GAMES TO MISS!!!

:'(

[kontrol]

I think MVP will be decided by the next game or two...or three.

[Gentlegamer]

For me, this is a series of "who do I hate the least" so I've been pulling for the Lakers.

I've watched each game, and the Celtics deserve props for great play. I DON'T look forward to the next year of gloating Boston sports fans (Red Sox and Celtics) . . . at least we can fling 18-1 in their faces!

Of course, this series is not over yet. It would be epic if LA can at least take it to seven games . . .

[malakim2099]

For me, this is a series of "who do I hate the least" so I've been pulling for the Lakers.

See, I'm the opposite. Utah is a basketball town, and we DESPISE the Lakers. I'd rather gargle hydrochloric acid than root for Kobe and company. :)

Well, as far as Boston fans go... I don't deal with them too much around here. And yeah, 18-1 is still a far more epic collapse than Game 4 was for the Lakers. ;)

[Gentlegamer]

See, I'm the opposite. Utah is a basketball town, and we DESPISE the Lakers. I'd rather gargle hydrochloric acid than root for Kobe and company. :)The only team I hated more in the playoffs was the Jazz. At least they got what they deserved against the Lakers.

Really, I "win" either way if the Lakers or Celtics lose the series.

Gentlegamer
- Rockets fan

[jmz4lyf]

Really!? Ray or Garnett? To me it's either Paul Pierce or KG, and I'd vote Paul (although I'm a huge KG fan). Paul has been the most consistent and played the hardest, if you ask me.

Oddly enough, KG is one of my favorite players and my MVP vote is a toss-up between Allen and Pierce...:cheeky:

The pressure is evenly distributed between the big 3.. The burden to score in critical moments doesn't always fall in the hands of ONE go-to-guy. When Ray Allen made that lay up that ultimately iced the game, Paul Pierce looked TIRED and just wanted no part of that play (he was also trying to get the floor open as much as possible..). My money is on Ray Allen though.. he's been the most consistent of the three. He'd be finals MVP for sure if he delivers in game 5.

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the NBA will try to catch up with the celtics NEXT year.

[spiderman9797]

Oddly enough, KG is one of my favorite players and my MVP vote is a toss-up between Allen and Pierce...:cheeky:

KG needs to stop being as selfless as he is. He needs to take advantage of Gasol, he needs to take the open shots, and he needs to just post up Odom or Gasol when he gets the chance.

Come to think of it, it's not really close for me. Ray Allen's poor performance against Cleveland did it in for me, while Paul Pierce has been mostly great the entire playoffs. KG just hasn't had that one "stand-out" game to make me say he deserves it.

[malakim2099]

The only team I hated more in the playoffs was the Jazz. At least they got what they deserved against the Lakers.

Really, I "win" either way if the Lakers or Celtics lose the series.

Gentlegamer
- Rockets fan

Oh, it's okay. Someday you'll make it out of the second round!

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

(And don't give me the "We won 2 90s championships" line either. If Jordan stayed retired, the Jazz'd have gotten at least that many. :p)

[Raiserb1ade]

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the NBA will try to catch up with the celtics NEXT year.

Andrew Bynum. Nuff said. :cool:

[jmz4lyf]

Andrew Bynum. Nuff said. :cool:

yeah the lakers too.. we'll probably see both those teams in the finals next year.

[Gacy's Clown]

KG needs to stop being as selfless as he is. He needs to take advantage of Gasol, he needs to take the open shots, and he needs to just post up Odom or Gasol when he gets the chance.
This whole statement almost sounds like it's coming from someone who's never really watched KG play before this year. This is the way he's played his entire career and as a fan of his, it IS incredibly frustrating to watch at times. I totally agree with you.

Come to think of it, it's not really close for me. Ray Allen's poor performance against Cleveland did it in for me, while Paul Pierce has been mostly great the entire playoffs. KG just hasn't had that one "stand-out" game to make me say he deserves it.

What does Allen's performance in the second round of the playoffs (or Pierce's previous playoff performances) have to do with being the Finals MVP?:cheeky:

[Gentlegamer]

Oh, it's okay. Someday you'll make it out of the second round!

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:Maybe Yao and Tracy will, we'll see. There are big shoes to fill here in CLUTCH CITY.

Utah only advances against the Rockets because the refs won't call the fouls. But when Utah faces LA, for example, well you see how that went. They can't get away with it. Utah's motto: if you're not fouling, you're not trying.

(And don't give me the "We won 2 90s championships" line either. If Jordan stayed retired, the Jazz'd have gotten at least that many. :p)Jordan's lucky he didn't have to face the Rockets back then.

The Failman and Cheapshotton would never have beat anyone in the Finals.

[malakim2099]

Maybe Yao and Tracy will, we'll see. There are big shoes to fill here in CLUTCH CITY.

Yeah. Two finals against a pathetic Knicks team and Shaq before he got paired with the Zenmaster. I'm impressed. Really.

Though I guess you always have Barkley's quadruple-single in his last pro game with you guys.

Utah only advances against the Rockets because the refs won't
call the fouls. But when Utah faces LA, for example, well you see how that went. They can't get away with it. Utah's motto: if you're not fouling, you're not trying.

Yeah, because the refs really want Utah to beat Houston in the playoffs.

After all, we have such a big media market in comparison. :cheeky:

Hakeem's lucky he didn't have to face Jordan back then.

Fixed that for you. It really didn't matter WHO played Jordan and the Bulls in their prime like that. You were just not beating them. Period. Nice to see you're bitter enough to resort to name calling. Typical loser behavior. ;)

[spiderman9797]

This whole statement almost sounds like it's coming from someone who's never really watched KG play before this year. This is the way he's played his entire career and as a fan of his, it IS incredibly frustrating to watch at times. I totally agree with you.
Oh, no. Don't get me wrong, I love KG and I've watched him for years. I agree that he plays like that, and it's going to get him in the Hall of Fame. It just is very frustrating, especially when Gasol isn't playing good defense. I know KG is selfless, that's been pretty much his only knock as a player. But that doesn't mean it doesn't bother me, as a Big Ticket fan.:ermm:



What does Allen's performance in the second round of the playoffs (or Pierce's previous playoff performances) have to do with being the Finals MVP?:cheeky:
Ah, I was thinking more of "Playoff MVP" rather than a "Finals MVP". It would probably be between Ray and Paul, for me. In the end, I would vote for Paul just because his defense has been very good on Kobe this series as well as him scoring just as much as Ray.

[Gentlegamer]

Yeah. Two finals against a pathetic Knicks team and Shaq before he got paired with the Zenmaster. I'm impressed. Really.The 93-94 Knicks were one of the best defensive teams of all time, and Jordan's Bulls couldn't get past the 94-95 Magic.

Jazz fans will only ever be able to dream of winning a Finals series.

Though I guess you always have Barkley's quadruple-single in his last pro game with you guys. If you're trying to hurt me by putting down Barkley, you're "Barking" up the wrong tree. Barkley ruined the Rockets. We should have kept Robert Horry and Sam Cassell.


Yeah, because the refs really want Utah to beat Houston in the playoffs.

After all, we have such a big media market in comparison. :cheeky:Crooked stuff has a way of happening with the Jazz, like the clock not starting for the last 13 seconds of a close playoff game when the Jazz have possession.


Fixed that for you. It really didn't matter WHO played Jordan and the Bulls in their prime like that. You were just not beating them. Period.
Jordan's early 90's Bulls had a very poor record against the Rockets. Vernon Maxwell would virtually shut down Jordan defensively. Conversely, The Bulls had no answer for The Dream. They never had to play a Finals series against a dominant Big Man Center. He would have ripped them apart.

Nice to see you're bitter enough to resort to name calling. Typical loser behavior. ;)It's called smack talk.

Oh, and better luck next year for Carlos Loozer and Floplinko. :mad:

[spiderman9797]

I only wonder the insults I would receive if I mentioned I am a Hornets fan.:rolleyes:

Woops...

[Gacy's Clown]

The 93-94 Knicks were one of the best defensive teams of all time, and Jordan's Bulls couldn't get past the 94-95 Magic.

I never thought I'd ever see someone actually say that and totally disregard the fact that Jordan had just came back during that season and wasn't fully up to speed with his playing (and it showed).
As whoever said it before, if Jordan didn't retire, the Bulls win eight in a row. They took care of Patrick Ewing and the rest of Knicks year in and year out, so saying they never won (or imply that they wouldn't win) against a dominant center is ridiculous. Where was Shaq (or The Dream) at the next three years?;)

[AEONFLUX]

Yeah... I know lots of people in the 90's had some serious bias when it came to Jordan, but let's face it.. he is the GOAT, period.

He would have had 8 in a row easy, and if they stayed together they could have had a few more. (this coming from an Ewing, Barkley, Drexler, Payton, Magic, Malone fan, lol)

I get a kick out of people comparing Kobe to Jordan.. there is none.

________________________________________________________

On to the Finals...

Kinda weird for me looking back, some of the point swings were just flat out weird... This series could have gone 7 if a few things went differently.

Finals MVP? Paul has had a couple clutch games, Ray has been consistent offensively most of the series, and Kevin has been great on D and hittin the boards. No sure who gets it...

[mike_houghton]

I never thought I'd ever see someone actually say that and totally disregard the fact that Jordan had just came back during that season and wasn't fully up to speed with his playing (and it showed).
As whoever said it before, if Jordan didn't retire, the Bulls win eight in a row. They took care of Patrick Ewing and the rest of Knicks year in and year out, so saying they never won (or imply that they wouldn't win) against a dominant center is ridiculous. Where was Shaq (or The Dream) at the next three years?;)

The Dream was going down. He, Barkley and Drexler were all older and in the twilights of their careers. The Rockets traded much of their young nucleas to aquire some of those seasoned vets to try win some more and it didnt work out.
You dont know if the Bulls would have won those two years, no one does. I dont think Jordan nor any of the Bulls would say they would have beaten the Rockets those two years because to do so would so a total disrespect to that team and its players.
The rockets won 2 years in a row. The Bulls didnt win those years.

Hakeem is still the only player to win MVP, Defensive Player of the year, and Finals MVP in the same year.
Jordan doesnt have that record yet :P Hakeem was my favorite player as a kid.. you should have seen my fat ### trying to impersonate his shake and fade.

[malakim2099]

I only wonder the insults I would receive if I mentioned I am a Hornets fan.:rolleyes:

Woops...

Actually, I like the Hornets. Was hoping they'd do better than they did.

Frankly, I don't detest any teams, except the Lakers. Even the Rockets (though their deluded fans are something else entirely :p).

But yeah, the refs LOVE the Jazz. You can tell that when the Lakers outshot them about 10 billion to 20 at the free throw line for that series. Or when they manipulate the shot clock to give the opposing team more time to shoot (or the Jazz less). :rolleyes:

And yeah, Gacy... if Jordan didn't retire? 8 in a row. (And hey, during the regular season when the Jazz won the West? The Jazz were 3-1 against the Bulls. So regular season meetings mean NOTHING in the playoffs.)

The rockets won 2 years in a row. The Bulls didnt win those years.

Um, okay. Let's see what happens with the Lakers if I yank Kobe away from them for the next two years. Or if I yank Chris Paul from the Hornets?
Or how well did you think the Rockets would have done those two championship years if they didn't have Hakeem with them?

I don't think it's an insult to the Rockets to say, if the Bulls had the best player in the league playing at full speed, the championships weren't a given. I mean, the Bulls handled the best of the West repeatedly and without even blinking... why are the Rockets any different?

[Gacy's Clown]

I mean, I know The Dream is one of the best ever, but as I said before, I doubt they would have won against the Bulls. The Dream never even saw the Finals before Jordan retired and didn't see it after he came back. As good as he was and as long as he played, he should have been able to at least get to the Finals at least once during those six championship seasons.:)

[AEONFLUX]

I mean, I know The Dream is one of the best ever, but as I said before, I doubt they would have won against the Bulls. The Dream never even saw the Finals before Jordan retired and didn't see it after he came back. As good as he was and as long as he played, he should have been able to at least get to the Finals at least once during those six championship seasons.:)

Pretty sure The Dream lost to Bird in the 85-86 Finals... but otherwise spot on.

[mike_houghton]

lol best big man in the game...
91 Lakers.. no Big man
92 Trailblazers.. no big man
93 Phoenix.. okay they had Barkley but he was round ;P
96- Shawn Kemp? lol no
97,98 Ostertag?
Whatever you say about how the bulls would have won 94 and 95 is completely opinion based. The Rockets won those championships and the bulls didnt.

[mike_houghton]

I mean, I know The Dream is one of the best ever, but as I said before, I doubt they would have won against the Bulls. The Dream never even saw the Finals before Jordan retired and didn't see it after he came back. As good as he was and as long as he played, he should have been able to at least get to the Finals at least once during those six championship seasons.:)

And yes he did see the finals before Jordan retired (86) so there goes most of that claim :P and did see it when he came back(95) If Jordan was so great why didnt he win in 95? Oh he only played 17 games? So what he was in the playoffs lost, that is fact. or with the Wizards? Oh thats right Jordan was in getting old then too. Im not saying Hakeem was better then Jordan but there is no way you can prove with empirical evidence that the bulls would have won those years, none.

[Gentlegamer]

I mean, I know The Dream is one of the best ever, but as I said before, I doubt they would have won against the Bulls. The Dream never even saw the Finals before Jordan retired and didn't see it after he came back. As good as he was and as long as he played, he should have been able to at least get to the Finals at least once during those six championship seasons.:)The Dream got to the Finals before Jordan, in 1986, his second season.

[Gentlegamer]

I only wonder the insults I would receive if I mentioned I am a Hornets fan.:rolleyes:

Woops...
Love Chris Paul! I was pulling for the Hornets to represent the West after the Rockets lost.

[Jarimy123]

If Jordan was so great??? Seriously, like I say about everything that sounds ridiculous, say that outloud to yourself. "If Jordan was so great" followed by anything is just utterly stupid.

[mike_houghton]

If Jordan was so great??? Seriously, like I say about everything that sounds ridiculous, say that outloud to yourself. "If Jordan was so great" followed by anything is just utterly stupid.
Naw its not so much stupid as it is my opinion. Jordan wasnt great in 1995, he wasnt great with the Wizards. So there are two instances when he wasnt great.

[malakim2099]

Naw its not so much stupid as it is my opinion. Jordan wasnt great in 1995, he wasnt great with the Wizards. So there are two instances when he wasnt great.

95 when he came back... what, near the end of the season?

And with the Wizards, after a several year layoff and he was, well, old.

Yeah, definitely good examples there. :cheeky: And didn't Houston have the Twin Towers for their 85 run where the Celtics smacked them around?

[Jarimy123]

Everyone that is great has instances where they weren't great. He's the greatest basketball player ever, no questions asked. I mean seriosly think about that, the greatest at his craft ever, out of everyone. Try as you might you can't downplay that because of a couple off years.

[kontrol]

Seriously Jordan was pushing 40 when he was playing for the Wizards and was still a top 25 player then.

His Wizard time period isn't a knock against him to me. It just showed how great he really was.

[Gacy's Clown]

The Dream got to the Finals before Jordan, in 1986, his second season.

I'm pretty sure 1986 wasn't during the Bulls two three-peats...:cheeky:

[mike_houghton]

I'm pretty sure 1986 wasn't during the Bulls two three-peats...:cheeky:


I have never said Jordan wasnt the greatest ever...
I simply asked if he was so great what happened those two times?

This started with someone mentioning the Rockets, and I feel the need to defend them because they earned those championships and theres not a person in the world that can prove the Bulls would have won those years.
Lets say for the sake of arguement that Jordan didnt retire, who does that affect the Rockets making the Finals those years? Jordans team played out East :)

[Gacy's Clown]

It wouldn't change anything at all. It would've been the Bulls vs. the Rockets. I was just pointing out that Rockets couldn't even make the Finals any of the years during the Bulls run.;)

[Gentlegamer]

I'm pretty sure 1986 wasn't during the Bulls two three-peats...:cheeky:

I mean, I know The Dream is one of the best ever, but as I said before, I doubt they would have won against the Bulls. The Dream never even saw the Finals before Jordan retired and didn't see it after he came back. As good as he was and as long as he played, he should have been able to at least get to the Finals at least once during those six championship seasons.:)You were implying that Dream didn't get to the Finals before 93 when Jordan retired, which is false. Of course, Dream didn't face off against the Bulls from 91-93 or 96-98 because his team wasn't the best in the West those years (for various reasons - injuries, ######## trade for Barkley, etc.).

[Gentlegamer]

And didn't Houston have the Twin Towers for their 85 run where the Celtics smacked them around?Yes, the 86 Rockets were good enough to beat the Showtime Lakers to get to the Finals, but not good enough to beat the Celtics.

Rockets lost two Finals series to the Celtics. As you can see, my Celtics (and Lakers) hate springs from a deeper source than merely this season.

Jordan himself has said his Bulls would have lost to the Rockets, at least in 94.

So, anyway, the point is Finals record:

Rockets: 2-2
Jazz: 0-2

Hey, anyone wanna join me in hating the Spurs? :grin:

[jmz4lyf]

the Spurs are sooo good they're REALLY boring to watch..

they're probably the only team in my generation (just 21 yrs old..) to have successfully used every single facet of the game..

-They got the post play down with duncan, robinson and the various centers they've had in the past
-they rebound really well
-lots of three point shooters to spread the floor
-quick guards that can penetrate, shoot and pass
-all the other shrewd tactics that win games
-hustle
-the best coach of my generation (i know phil jackson has eliminated pop more times than vice versa but i still think he makes the quickest and best adjustments in a playoff series to maximize their chance of winning.)
-incredible scouting and drafting (they got manu ginobli! tony parker.. duncan.. tons of others.. they can make the best out of any pick they have)
-stingy team defense
-great individual defenders
-the greatest power forward to ever play the game.
-players have high basketball IQ

Sure their guards don't do as much fancy passing, killer crossovers or crazy flip shots like the other elite guards but they're brutally effective. They blow by you with first step or just get by you in really ugly ways..(check out how manu ginobli drives by opponents! looks like the guy's falling down..). Their guards can score at will using basic basketball techniques and basketball IQ. They pass when they have to whether they get the assist or not.

Duncan also use boring old man moves but it gets the ball through the hoop. He passes really well out of the double team and is a nightmare to guard alone even in his thirties.

They use dirty tactics. Flopping. Intimidation. Intentionally hitting other players (rober horry!!!). hack-a-carpy-free-throw-shooter. Complaining about dubious trades (pop was very vocal about the gasol trade..). Committing hidden fouls (bruce bowen.. the master.)

I'm not a fan of the Spurs at all. But i AM an NBA fan though so i watch almost every playoff game i can watch. The spurs are in the playoffs every year! so how the heck am I suppose to avoid watching them?? especially when they play against teams i cheer for! I've seen countless analysts and fans count them out and they still find a way to win. The most boring yet effective team in the NBA without a doubt. I hate them.:laugh:

P.S. On a side note, anyone who thinks the NBA purposefully rig playoff games have to explain to me why they allow the Spurs to win and kill ratings?? The NBA ratings started to go down the moment the Lakers lost to the spurs right after LA's three-peat.

[kontrol]

Jordan himself has said his Bulls would have lost to the Rockets, at least in 94.

When did he say that?

[AEONFLUX]

When did he say that?

That is a typical Jordan type statement, not saying he said that exactly but he was well known for maufacturing slights in order to pump his team or himself up(as if he ever needed it), or drop fake praise to not rub people the wrong way. He was a master in front of the camera.

His beef with some players and teams were obviously real, (Pistons) and sometimes it seemed not so much. (Portland, as an example)

I remember a back to back series years ago, young fella on the opposing team goes off for 35+ and Jordan had an off game and didn't even hit 20.

Next game he shuts down young fella, guy doesn't even come close to smelling double digits. Jordan drops a 50 spot on him.

I miss 80's basketball.

[AEONFLUX]

Kobe is coming out gunning tonight, I want to see both guns blazing and watch go for 44+ tonight.

Course I want the Celts to still win though.

[AEONFLUX]

Well looks like Kobe ran out of bullet and threw his .38 at the cop while hiding behind a trash can.

Paging Lamar Odom... Lamar Odom please report to the game.
Gimme 200cc's of (insert ER speak) and get it to Gasol STAT!!

Pierce is suffering from Walleye vision. Ray Allen has it in cruise control and is busy watching grass grow and Kevin is once again doing his thing.

MVP?? hmmmmmmm, still undecided.

[spiderman9797]

KG and the boys decide to put on a clinic.

[spiderman9797]

Red Sox, Giants, Celtics all have one thing in common = great defenses. Living proof that defense wins championships.

[AEONFLUX]

Love how they emptied the bench and even got Allen and Davis out there, lol...

Congrats to the Celts, Red is lighting one up right about... now.

[Gacy's Clown]

You were implying that Dream didn't get to the Finals before 93 when Jordan retired, which is false. Of course, Dream didn't face off against the Bulls from 91-93 or 96-98 because his team wasn't the best in the West those years (for various reasons - injuries, ######## trade for Barkley, etc.).

I just saw this post. In my head, for what I was trying to say, my statement was true, but I definitely can see where it can be seen that I was implying at anytime during his career, so my bad on that one.:)

[spiderman9797]

My boy KG just got the hardware. As he said himself "I'm certified". What an awesome feeling for that dude.:knockedou

[Gacy's Clown]

Beautiful....that's about all I can say about this game.

[Dark Flash2099]

It made me happy watching that game.

[AEONFLUX]

KG got the MVP?

Beautiful, lovely, heavenly... I am biased towards KG being a MN fan but oh this just feels great. There are so many KG haters up here in MN that this will just sting them to no end, lol.

I honestly wasn't sure who would get the MVP, but I am glad KG got it.
Actually Pierce got it, lol

"Certified." <--- I am getting that on the back of my T-Wolves KG jersey to frame and hang on my wall.
Still getting that done

"This is for everyone in Sota" ~ KG Thanks KG, MN loves ya bro.
We still love ya!

[Gacy's Clown]

Pierce got the MVP....;)

[AEONFLUX]

Ugh... that's why I hate being at work and no being able to see this game live.

ARGH... top it off, it's funny how I can hang out here and ebay but I can't get to espn or even aol sports, yahoo etc....

Corporate world is funky.

Oh well, Pierce was deserving... definitely carried them in a couple of games. Can't fault that pick.

Now I have to wait to get home and watch this game on classics.

[spiderman9797]

Who the hell would have predicted that!?:cheeky::p

[AEONFLUX]

Well if you are like some who consider the entire Finals performance and not simply go by offensive stats, then you can see how it could have been up for debate.

Course, MVP always goes to the point dropper, I don't think I have ever seen a Finals MVP who dominated defensively, cleaned up the boards, blocked shots, grabbed some steals while barely cracking 14ppg and win an MVP. (would have to rack my brain for that one, too many beers, too many years.)

I'm fine with Pierce getting it, but it would not have bothered me one bit if Garnett got it.

Simply wishful thinking on my part, middle of an IPL and one of my co-workers hits me up on communicator and tells me it was Garnett, I tell him to shoot me some numbers and he never got back to me.

[Raiserb1ade]

Meh. I hate that it ended like that. Props to the celtics though.

[spiderman9797]

Well if you are like some who consider the entire Finals performance and not simply go by offensive stats, then you can see how it could have been up for debate.

Course, MVP always goes to the point dropper, I don't think I have ever seen a Finals MVP who dominated defensively, cleaned up the boards, blocked shots, grabbed some steals while barely cracking 14ppg and win an MVP. (would have to rack my brain for that one, too many beers, too many years.)

I'm fine with Pierce getting it, but it would not have bothered me one bit if Garnett got it.

Simply wishful thinking on my part, middle of an IPL and one of my co-workers hits me up on communicator and tells me it was Garnett, I tell him to shoot me some numbers and he never got back to me.
Sure. Except that Pierce arguably played the best defense on the Celtics. He asked to be matched up on Kobe, and he handled that assignment beautifully.

[AEONFLUX]

He asked to be matched up on him for one half, granted he was stellar that half.. but he wasn't the man who guarded him exclusively all series.

He did well on D, but let's not act like he went Jordan on some poor soul and shut him down.

Congrats Pierce, make sure you thank KG for even getting there in the first place.

[jmz4lyf]

WOW the lakers were a huge letdown! I wanted them to lose but at least fight back.. :laugh:

i feel really good for KG, Allen, Pierce and DOC for finally getting their rings.. They really deserved to win it all this year after dismantling their opponents all throughout the regular season and the last 2 rounds of the playoffs.

You've got people saying how good the Celtic D was but when superstars actually admit how good they are defensively..

"that was the BEST defense I've ever seen.." -T-mac after losing to the Celtics prior to winning 22 straight.

"that's the BEST defense I've ever played against in the NBA." D-wade after being held to 13 ppg shooting less than 40% in regular season games against the celtics.

"the BEST defense I've played against in these playoffs.." Kobe after game 6 thrashing.

I think stuff like that validates just how good the celtic D was in this generation and historically as well. That defense was just beautiful to watch with ALL five guys on the floor in sync.

[kontrol]

Yeah, let this be a lesson to everyone out there. Team Defense wins championships.

It's not a fluke that the Spurs have dominated the NBA landscape. Offense will get you the endorsements. Defense will get you the rings.

[spiderman9797]

My father always said "Offense sells tickets. But Defense wins Championships."

[kontrol]

My father always said "Offense sells tickets. But Defense wins Championships."

That it does.

See Superbowl and this past NBA Finals for brilliant examples.

[garrysempire]

mr. moderator you can lock my thread topic now thanks!

kudos to celtic fans!