NBA Playoff Predictions '06

[ry66]

Eastern Conference:

(1) Pistons vs (8) Bucks
(4) Cavs vs (5) Wizards
(3) Nets vs (6) Pacers
(2) Heat vs (7) Bulls

Western Conference:

(1) Spurs vs (8) Kings
(4) Mavs vs (5) Grizzlies
(3) Nuggets vs (6) Clippers
(2) Suns vs (7) Lakers

----

Me:

Pistons over Bucks
Wizards over Cavs
Nets over Pacers (:-()
Heat over Bulls

Spurs over Kings
Mavs over Grizzlies
Nuggets over Clippers
Suns over Lakers

Pistons over Wizards
Heat over Nets

Spurs over Mavs
Suns over Nuggets

Pistons over Heat
Spurs over Suns

Pistons over Spurs in 6

[elgigante]

you really think the wizards beat the cavs? im not sold on that at all. i think this is lebron's chance to step up on the big stage ande he carries the cavs to a 7 game win. also spurs in 6 over detroit. too much manu for the pistons too handle

[my sex is artsy]

Spurs over the Pistons again. Shitty rules create teams who rely on nothing but the pick and roll and iso scoring. then they face the Spurs and Pistons, who are good enough to defend them both expertly, and they can't deal.

[Bev]

Eastern Conference:

(1) Pistons vs (8) Bucks
(4) Cavs vs (5) Wizards
(3) Nets vs (6) Pacers
(2) Heat vs (7) Bulls

Western Conference:

(1) Spurs vs (8) Kings
(4) Mavs vs (5) Grizzlies
(3) Nuggets vs (6) Clippers
(2) Suns vs (7) Lakers

East:
All favored seeds win in 1st round

Pistons over Cavs
Heat over Nets

Heat over Pistons

West:
Spurs over Kings
Mavs over Grizz
Clips over Nuggets
Suns over Lakers

Mavs over Spurs
Suns over Clips

Mavs over Clips

Finals: Heat over Mavs

[TILSON]

I predict that I will not watch a game.

[White Snake II]

Pistons 4-0
Cavaliers 4-3
Nets 4-3
Heat 4-1

Spurs 4-1
Mavericks 4-2
Nuggets 4-3
Suns 4-3

[ry66]

you really think the wizards beat the cavs? im not sold on that at all. i think this is lebron's chance to step up on the big stage ande he carries the cavs to a 7 game win. also spurs in 6 over detroit. too much manu for the pistons too handle

I'm not putting money on it, just a feeling. The Wiz are playoff tested and the Cavs are new.... I'm not saying Lebron won't go for a 30-10-10 average in the series, but it's his first playoff series. Even MJ went 1-9 in his first 3 series.

Spurs over the Pistons again. Shitty rules create teams who rely on nothing but the pick and roll and iso scoring. then they face the Spurs and Pistons, who are good enough to defend them both expertly, and they can't deal.

See, I love it. I hate when people complain about "boring matchups" in finals. If they're the best teams, they're the best teams. Good for them. Spurs/Pistons, WhiteSox/Astros.... yeah they're boring, but I watch them because I like to see the two best teams play.

Now UCLA/Florida and Steelers/Seahawks.... I see that point. Then you're watching two unsexy teams that aren't even the best of the best.

[my sex is artsy]

See, I love it. I hate when people complain about "boring matchups" in finals. If they're the best teams, they're the best teams. Good for them. Spurs/Pistons, WhiteSox/Astros.... yeah they're boring, but I watch them because I like to see the two best teams play.

Now UCLA/Florida and Steelers/Seahawks.... I see that point. Then you're watching two unsexy teams that aren't even the best of the best.

My point has nothing to do with "unsexiness". I want to see the best teams play. The fact is, the NBA rules are fucking bullshit pussy rules which let teams like the Suns rack up 120 points on pick and rolls and don't let teams clog the lane like international play. Then people are astonished when America gets wrecked in international play.

[ry66]

My fault, misunderstood, and I completely agree. I just get so tired of people saying "boo Pistons/Spurs boo" that I've become sensitive to it.

[Bishop]

Eastern Conference:

(1) Pistons vs (8) Bucks - Pistons in 4
(4) Cavs vs (5) Wizards - Cavs in 6
(3) Nets vs (6) Pacers - Pacers in 7
(2) Heat vs (7) Bulls - Heat in 6

Pistons vs. Cavs - Pistons in 5
Pacers vs. Heat - Pacers in 7

Pistons vs. Pacers - Pistons in 6

Western Conference:

(1) Spurs vs (8) Kings - Spurs in 6
(4) Mavs vs (5) Grizzlies - Mavs in 6
(3) Nuggets vs (6) Clippers - Clippers in 7
(2) Suns vs (7) Lakers - Suns in 5

Spurs vs. Mavs - Spurs in 7
Clippers vs. Suns - Suns in 5

Spurs vs. Suns - Spurs in 5

Finals: Spurs vs. Pistons - Spurs in 6

[ry66]

God bless you for your Pacers love. No one feels the pain of being a Pacers, Colts, and Cubs fan. No one.

[pants]

too long to type, spurs cahmps again.

[elgigante]

if memphis can show up at all on the rebounding side of the game, they have a shot to beat the soft ass mavericks

[Necron Eloheim]

All the 1st round series will go to the highest seed with the Nuggets/Clippers matchup being the only upset. I am also hoping for a team other than the Spurs or the Pistons to take the title. Namely, the Suns, Mavs or Heat.

[elgigante]

^^^^

you're right so far on that clipper series. denver has looked awful the first two games. Having Kenyon Martin only able to play 25 or so minutes doesnt help as well as their inability to make it a fullcourt fast paced game against the superior Clipper D. Never thought id say Superior anything with the Clippers in a sentence

[Necron Eloheim]

^^^^

you're right so far on that clipper series. denver has looked awful the first two games. Having Kenyon Martin only able to play 25 or so minutes doesnt help as well as their inability to make it a fullcourt fast paced game against the superior Clipper D. Never thought id say Superior anything with the Clippers in a sentence It was only last year that they became the best team in LA. I hope they can keep it up.

[fightguy]

WAR TRAILBLAZERS!!!!

[Necron Eloheim]

Most impressive player in the playoffs so far?

Dirk Nowitzki. Dude has been looking like an MVP, rather than a mere candidate. I can't forget Lebron as well, only one of three players to post a triple double in his first playoff game. Magic was one of the other two.

[CTY]

So....is everyone still high on Miami? They look like absolute shit as a team to me. Wade is fighting with Payton on the court, theyve had Haslem and Posey miss games due to suspensions and Shaq is constantly in foul trouble, with Zo nursing that sore leg I dont think theyre gonna take it anymore.

[CTY]

Most impressive player in the playoffs so far?

Dirk Nowitzki. Dude has been looking like an MVP, rather than a mere candidate. I can't forget Lebron as well, only one of three players to post a triple double in his first playoff game. Magic was one of the other two.

I think I have to pick Kobe and the Lakers on this. Whats impressive is the Lakers have won 3 games, in a series most thought they'd get swept out of, and Kobe isnt even tearing up the stats(hasn't had a 30pt game yet), just being a good team leader.

[Bird]

My point has nothing to do with "unsexiness". I want to see the best teams play. The fact is, the NBA rules are fucking bullshit pussy rules which let teams like the Suns rack up 120 points on pick and rolls and don't let teams clog the lane like international play. Then people are astonished when America gets wrecked in international play.


its david sterns fault. he wont let the game evolve. too much tradition. but i agree with your post

[Bishop]

What a game between the Kings/Spurs. First off, Spurs are lucky it's not 3-1 Kings. Second, I can't believe the Kings turned a 3 point lead into a 14 point deficit. But they are crawling back now and are within 4 with 7 minutes to go....nail biter

[Necron Eloheim]

Right now Boris Diaw is showing why he's the most improved player. Leading the Suns in all three major statistical categories against the Lakers. They're winning as well, I hope they don't get eliminated tonight.

[elgigante]

kobe got ejected and the lakers lost. good news all around.

[CTY]

What a game between the Kings/Spurs. First off, Spurs are lucky it's not 3-1 Kings. Second, I can't believe the Kings turned a 3 point lead into a 14 point deficit. But they are crawling back now and are within 4 with 7 minutes to go....nail biter

I was watching the Bulls yesterday.....and uhm, nothing is more frustrating than seeing Shaq in foul trouble, and Dwayne Wade out for quite a while, and the Bulls still lost. Horrible shot selection, no penetration to the basket, horrible, horrible game by the Bulls. Not to mention the questionable reffing done by officials all throughout the playoffs imo. But I guess thats what home court advantage is, calls going the way of the home team.

[Bev]

Good to see the NBA has gone all-out with the ridiculous fouls this playoff. The definition of blocking/charge has been amended to the following:

When an offensive player intentionally dribbles into a defender, the resulting physical contact will always result in a foul. If the offensive player is a star, it will be call a blocking foul on the defender. If the offensive player is not a star, it will be at the referee's discretion, unless it is the fourth quarter, whereupon it will also be a defensive foul.

*NOTE None of the above will apply to Shaquille O'Neal. He will not be permitted ANY physical contact with his opponent's offensive players, regardless of whomever may initiate the contact. To be specific, simply running into him will result in a foul on O'Neal. We also do not give a rat's ass how many times defenders chop his arms, back, and shoulders. There will be no fouls called on anyone guarding O'Neal, unless they actually shoot him.

*NOTE PART II: If a defender shoots O'Neal during the pregame warmups, he will be assessed a "delay of game" technical foul, and the game will begin as soon as paramedics have left the building.

The NBA Playoffs: Now Playing

[Necron Eloheim]

Lebron's legacy continues.....................

[pants]

First Round
5 5 41.4 47-78 .603 4-5 .800 24-37 .649 4.6 7.6 12.2 1.4 1.00 .40 2.80 4.20 24.4
Bonzi!
Bonzi!
Bonzi!
(i don't even like the kings)

[IX Equilibrium]

Bonzi has been a monster, but the Spurs will come out victorious.

[CTY]

Good to see the NBA has gone all-out with the ridiculous fouls this playoff. The definition of blocking/charge has been amended to the following:



The NBA Playoffs: Now Playing

Hahah, thats good stuff man, the reffing throughout the playoffs has been terrible imo. Like how Lebron traveled, well, ''didn't'' travel and was able to get that shot off. And ANY fouls involving Shaq have been messed up, offensive and defensive.

[CTY]

Did anyone see that scuffle between Raja Bell and Kobe Bryant? In an interview someone asked Bell about stepping into an octagon with Kobe, and he replied with something like ''we don't need an octagon, there's plenty of room right there'' I thought that was a little weird.

[IX Equilibrium]

Spurs closed out a very physical series with the Kings in 6 games. No time to rest though, they play Dallas on Sunday. They'll be on their home court in San Antonio.

[Necron Eloheim]

Spurs closed out a very physical series with the Kings in 6 games. No time to rest though, they play Dallas on Sunday. They'll be on their home court in San Antonio. The winner of Mavs/Spurs series reps the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Also, although I want the Suns to knock the Lakers out, I'll be intriuged to see the Lakers/Clippers in the second round. When was the last time they faced each other in the playoffs?

[Bev]

For the record, I went 8-0 in the first round. MC Hammer? Yep, U Can't Touch This.

[White Snake II]

Pistons 4-0
Heat 4-3

Spurs 4-3
Suns 4-2

[Necron Eloheim]

Er, why did Kobe fuck up last night? I don't think the Pistons will sweep the Cavs, the Cavs will win 1 game.

[CTY]

Er, why did Kobe fuck up last night? I don't think the Pistons will sweep the Cavs, the Cavs will win 1 game.

I dunno about that. ''King'' James is being defended against by one of the best defenses there is. I think it will be a clean sweep of the Cavs, the Pistons are playing like they have something to prove and they want to end this as quick as possible.

[Necron Eloheim]

Anybody got anything to say about Nash getting the nod for MVP again?

[CTY]

Anybody got anything to say about Nash getting the nod for MVP again?

He deserved it.

[IX Equilibrium]

Anybody got anything to say about Nash getting the nod for MVP again?


I'm glad for him. He won it last year, and his numbers were even better this year when compared to the '04-'05 season.

[CTY]

I'm glad for him. He won it last year, and his numbers were even better this year when compared to the '04-'05 season.

Not to mention he did it without Amare.

[IX Equilibrium]

Yesterday the Pistons disposed of the Cavs in easy fashion. I don't think that will be much of a series. Also, the start of the Spurs-Mavs series (which will be great) saw the Spurs edging out the Mavs in a very close game. Of course I am for the Spurs, but I was actually expecting them to lose. Dallas had like a 4 or 5 day rest, while the Spurs were tired and weary from beating the Kings in 6 in a physical series ending only 36 hours earlier. But Duncan looks better now (31 pts, 13 rebounds) than he ever did during the regular season because of being plagued with plantar fasciitis.

I can't wait to see the Clippers and Suns tonight. That is going to be a a fun series to watch.

[CTY]

Yesterday the Pistons disposed of the Cavs in easy fashion. I don't think that will be much of a series. Also, the start of the Spurs-Mavs series (which will be great) saw the Spurs edging out the Mavs in a very close game. Of course I am for the Spurs, but I was actually expecting them to lose. Dallas had like a 4 or 5 day rest, while the Spurs were tired and weary from beating the Kings in 6 in a physical series ending only 36 hours earlier. But Duncan looks better now (31 pts, 13 rebounds) than he ever did during the regular season because of being plagued with plantar fasciitis.

I can't wait to see the Clippers and Suns tonight. That is going to be a a fun series to watch.

I'm rooting for the Mav's myself, I dunno why, I just like the team a lot. After the Bulls the Mavs and Pistons are my other teams to watch. I'm expecting a clean sweep of the Cavs, at best they'll win 1 game.

I'm not too thrilled about the Clippers/Suns series, i'm more interested in New Jersey and Miami.

[IX Equilibrium]

I'm not too thrilled about the Clippers/Suns series, i'm more interested in New Jersey and Miami.


I just can't get into Eastern Conf. ball.

[the chairman211]

124 out of 125 voters knew chris paul was ROY. then some single shitstick votes for deron williams. he should have his fucking license revoked

[tak]

Anybody got anything to say about Nash getting the nod for MVP again?

i think kobe (obviously i'm biased) and lebron both deserved it more, but nash did do pretty fucking awesome this year, so i'm not going to make a big stink about it.

[elgigante]

124 out of 125 voters knew chris paul was ROY. then some single shitstick votes for deron williams. he should have his fucking license revoked


what made it worse is that the guy who voted for williams was the utah jazz's lead broadcaster. that vote should be DQ'd

[my sex is artsy]

Nash as MVP is a joke. Looking at his name among guys like Wilt and Magic and shit is a joke and a half.

Clippers/Suns poans.

[Bev]

Don't look now, but I'm on track to pick all the winners in the first AND second rounds...

[pants]

nash is gay.

[Necron Eloheim]

Fuck that shit. I told your punk asses that Detroit wouldn't sweep the Cavs.

[IX Equilibrium]

Spurs are surprisingly on the brink of elimination being down 3-1. As much as I hate to say it, I think Coach Pop has the wrong strategy aginst the Mavs. He is playing small ball, 4 guards with Duncan on the floor, to keep up with the speed of the Mavs. The problem with that is he is not playing Rasho and Nazr who would normally be in the paint blocking shots and getting rebounds. Because of this, Duncan has all the pressure of guarding the paint and he gets in foul trouble unless he plays with too much caution to be effective.

All season long, the Spurs have been winning games by stopping teams with DEFENSE. They're not a bad offensive team, and they've taken Dallas to the limit the past 2 games, but you can't try to match Dallas basket for basket. The Spurs win when they hold teams to 80 or 90 points. When they let teams score 100+ on them, its anyone's ballgame. You need to stick to your core strengths, and Pop seems to take away from this with the smaller lineups.

[kcb]

WAR CLEVELAND!!1

NOW THIS IS A FUCKING SERIES, BOYS..

*kicks trash can across room*

THE CAVS HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPOSURE!! THEY HAVE TO FUCKING MAINTAIN THEIR COMPOSURE, I SAID!!

*slams metal folding chair into wall*

[Necron Eloheim]

Spurs are surprisingly on the brink of elimination being down 3-1. As much as I hate to say it, I think Coach Pop has the wrong strategy aginst the Mavs. He is playing small ball, 4 guards with Duncan on the floor, to keep up with the speed of the Mavs. The problem with that is he is not playing Rasho and Nazr who would normally be in the paint blocking shots and getting rebounds. Because of this, Duncan has all the pressure of guarding the paint and he gets in foul trouble unless he plays with too much caution to be effective.

All season long, the Spurs have been winning games by stopping teams with DEFENSE. They're not a bad offensive team, and they've taken Dallas to the limit the past 2 games, but you can't try to match Dallas basket for basket. The Spurs win when they hold teams to 80 or 90 points. When they let teams score 100+ on them, its anyone's ballgame. You need to stick to your core strengths, and Pop seems to take away from this with the smaller lineups. Maybe you should e-mail Pop and let him know of your strategy?

[my sex is artsy]

The performance of the Suns right now, minus Raja Bell, is exactly why David Stern is a chickenshit who refuses to take away faggot ass three in the key. A team plays well enough defensively to stop the pick and roll, and what happens? Phoenix suddenly has to shoot 249086 threes, and no one except Raja Bell can make a single fucking shot. Just imagine if teams could clog the lane and play zone defenses, and force teams like the Suns to shoot all day.

Seriously, the onus is on players and their teams to perform at their best on both sides of the ball. All these bullshit defensive rules do is try to handcuff defenses, and when teams are good enough to slip those cuffs, offensive teams have no clue what the fuck to do, because all they know how to do is run a pick and roll, or let their best offensive player score iso.

[Crutch]

Kobe 81 points in a game, dunks like crazy (Carries his whole team)
Nash, bad hair cut and lay-ups (whole team is good)

Kobe deserved MVP

[Bev]

Kobe 81 points in a game, dunks like crazy (Carries his whole team)
Nash, bad hair cut and lay-ups (whole team is good)

Kobe deserved MVP

Kobe: Cowardly bailed on his team in the 2nd half of game 7
"That Guy": Hits a clutch 3 to propell his team to an OT win

MVP? Kobe's a fuckin joke. He got upstaged by a fucking ROLE PLAYER in the playoffs.

[Bev]

BTW, Miami closed out the Nets, the Mavs have the Spurs in an elimination game, the Suns have the Clips in an elimination game... If the Pistons take care of bidness, I will have picked the entire first and second rounds correctly.

[IX Equilibrium]

Maybe you should e-mail Pop and let him know of your strategy?


Pop is a mean motherfucker. He'd tell me to go fuck myself.

[CTY]

Kobe: Cowardly bailed on his team in the 2nd half of game 7
"That Guy": Hits a clutch 3 to propell his team to an OT win

MVP? Kobe's a fuckin joke. He got upstaged by a fucking ROLE PLAYER in the playoffs.

I dont see what all the complaints about Nash getting MVP are. Its most valuable player, not Best Statistical Player. He led his team to the playoffs without their superstar Amare and had better numbers than he did when he won the mvp last year, so I see no problem with Nash getting the nod.

Now that I got that out of the way, you're right about Kobe getting pwnt by Raja Bell.

[Necron Eloheim]

Pop is a mean motherfucker. He'd tell me to go fuck myself. Yeah but you could still try to pwn him. You're not getting eliminated by just anybody IX but your local(ish) rivals. Ya dig?

[kcb]

Another great game 5. Cleveland and Detroit knotted up right now.. I'm pulling for Cleveland to pull this out.

[the chairman211]

spurs and pistons both on the ropes. is there a changing of the guard?
duncan goes for 28 on 11/11 in the first half and dallas still ties it. spurs should be very fuckin worried. as for the pistons, they should feel like shit in general. you can blow off an inferior team and still win, but dont TELL THEM you're blowing them off.

we now have a potential final four of shaq and wade vs. lebron and mavs vs. clippers/suns. david stern must have a huge boner.

[CTY]

Wow, the Western conference playoffs are wicked. Both series going on are well played games. Both teams i'm rooting for(Phx, and Dallas) are up in their series 3-2 but arent in the clear yet. And wtf is up with the Pistons, theyre playing like shit.

[Necron Eloheim]

Ahahahaha.......

the Pistons are down 3-2, who would have thought it huh?

[IX Equilibrium]

Spurs won last night by the skin of their teeth and are down 3-2, and they won using their bullshit small lineup. If Pop doesn't go for a bigger lineup in games 6 or 7, they won't win the series. If he does, then I expect the Spurs to pull it off.

[the chairman211]

Spurs won last night by the skin of their teeth and are down 3-2, and they won using their bullshit small lineup. If Pop doesn't go for a bigger lineup in games 6 or 7, they won't win the series. If he does, then I expect the Spurs to pull it off.
their big lineup has been getting run right off the court speedwise. they dont match up well with dallas

[IX Equilibrium]

their big lineup has been getting run right off the court speedwise. they dont match up well with dallas


Wrong

We really haven't seen their big lineup against Dallas this series. Rasho and Nazr have hardly any playing time. Pop has gone with a small lineup pretty much the whole series. Also, the season was split with Dallas, each winning 2 out of 4 games. During the wins, Pop played the big lineup, like he always played during all of the other games during the season. The Spurs are playing into the Mavs style and not their own.

[ry66]

The NBA is the worst of the group, hasn't there been like 6 different champions in the last 20-25 years? I'll believe a new team gets involved when the Spurs and Pistons both lose. I'd love nothing more than Mavs/Cavs.... all the while the Suns are getting less respect than any #2 seed in NBA history.

[the chairman211]

major league chokejobs by the mavs and cavs. maybe others dont consider it a choke, but basicly both teams had homecourt with a chance to get to the next level, knowing a loss means game 7 on the road, and they let themselves get outhustled.

at least the cavs have overachieved and the pressure is still on detroit. but the mavs are poised to flush a 3-1 lead in a year when they would probably be favored to win the title (especially if detroit lost). four series, three game 7's! predictions?

[CTY]

major league chokejobs by the mavs and cavs. maybe others dont consider it a choke, but basicly both teams had homecourt with a chance to get to the next level, knowing a loss means game 7 on the road, and they let themselves get outhustled.

at least the cavs have overachieved and the pressure is still on detroit. but the mavs are poised to flush a 3-1 lead in a year when they would probably be favored to win the title (especially if detroit lost). four series, three game 7's! predictions?

Phoenix, Detroit and San Antonio

[IX Equilibrium]

Damn, two very close games. Detroit and San Antonio going back to their home courts. If I watch anymore basketball, by girlfriend is going to shoot me. Guess I'll have to wear a vest.

[the chairman211]

Phoenix, Detroit and San Antonio
gay and boring. be ashamed

[ry66]

And once again I state there have been roughly 6 champions in the last 20-25 years. The NBA is the league of nothing new. I'm a Pacers fan, the team that lost to the Knicks.... and Bulls.... and Pistons.... and Lakers.

The same teams win every year. It's cute to watch the Cavs or Mavs try to win, god help them, but the same teams always win. That's probably the reason the NBA is roughly #7 is US fan support right now.

[my sex is artsy]

all the while the Suns are getting less respect than any #2 seed in NBA history.

That's because the Suns suck and are representative of everything wrong with the "new NBA".

[Necron Eloheim]

That's because the Suns suck and are representative of everything wrong with the "new NBA". What's that, exciting offence and games played at a breakneck speed? Well you must have liked last years Finals between the defensive minded Pistons and Spurs but I thought it was fucking wank. I can't wait 'til Amare comes back next season.

[IX Equilibrium]

What's that, exciting offence and games played at a breakneck speed? Well you must have liked last years Finals between the defensive minded Pistons and Spurs but I thought it was fucking wank. I can't wait 'til Amare comes back next season.


There are not many like me who appreciate defense. The Pistons and Spurs have proven that defense wins consistently over the past years. Most want to see an all star like game with no D being played, running up and down the court with alley oops and other dunks, and scores of 125 points. That gets fucking old. If I want that, I'll go see that touring street basketball team because that's pretty much what they do. Some of you should check that out.

http://www.streetbasketballassociation.net/

[my sex is artsy]

What's that, exciting offence and games played at a breakneck speed? Well you must have liked last years Finals between the defensive minded Pistons and Spurs but I thought it was fucking wank. I can't wait 'til Amare comes back next season.

No, a bunch of teams who can only run a pick and roll and benefit from pussy rules to force iso match ups to force the league to be "exciting". The Suns being forced to shoot 39285 threes and everyone except Raja Bell missing them is exactly what's wrong with the NBA, and exactly the reason Stern has to coddle the game with gay ass rules like three second violations in the key. Then people wonder why the US gets shitkicked in international ball.

[the chairman211]

And once again I state there have been roughly 6 champions in the last 20-25 years. The NBA is the league of nothing new. I'm a Pacers fan, the team that lost to the Knicks.... and Bulls.... and Pistons.... and Lakers.

The same teams win every year. It's cute to watch the Cavs or Mavs try to win, god help them, but the same teams always win. That's probably the reason the NBA is roughly #7 is US fan support right now.
it's somehow the NBA's fault that your team blew 800 crucial games over 10 years to various opponents?

the well run orgs keep winning. the teams that dick around, lose.

[the chairman211]

There are not many like me who appreciate defense. The Pistons and Spurs have proven that defense wins consistently over the past years. Most want to see an all star like game with no D being played, running up and down the court with alley oops and other dunks, and scores of 125 points. That gets fucking old. If I want that, I'll go see that touring street basketball team because that's pretty much what they do. Some of you should check that out.

http://www.streetbasketballassociation.net/
i'm all for good defense, but good defense isn't why scoring dipped into the shitter. the spurs-nets finals from '03 didn't have 77-76 games because the defenses were fantastic. it was because teams ran countless isolation plays that drained the shot clock, forgot how to make good passes, and settled for 18 foot jumpers which was odd considering nobody in the league could make them.

[ry66]

Yes, your basketball genius would help the lesser teams win and change the styles of the losing teams. Bravo.

The NBA has no parity, end of story. That's why so few people watch. I love my team and love the NBA but denying the obvious is horsecrap.

7 different teams have won the title in the last 27 years.

"Well if I were the Mavs/Kings/Pacers/Blazers/Knicks/Heat I would have not run the 2-3 and went to a zone with a double team...."

Garbage.

I have nothing negative to say of the Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, or Celtics.... but they're the only teams that win.

If you want to state complete nonsense as to why the other teams lost feel free, but it's crap none the same. The NBA has no parity, no matter how much crap is stated.

[the chairman211]

Yes, your basketball genius would help the lesser teams win and change the styles of the losing teams. Bravo.

The NBA has no parity, end of story. That's why so few people watch. I love my team and love the NBA but denying the obvious is horsecrap.

7 different teams have won the title in the last 27 years.

"Well if I were the Mavs/Kings/Pacers/Blazers/Knicks/Heat I would have not run the 2-3 and went to a zone with a double team...."

Garbage.

I have nothing negative to say of the Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, or Celtics.... but they're the only teams that win.

If you want to state complete nonsense as to why the other teams lost feel free, but it's crap none the same. The NBA has no parity, no matter how much crap is stated.

god you're an ass, i didnt lay claim to some master plan, i said teams that draft adroitly, dont overpay huge cash for FAs, dont fire coaches yearly, and keep some roster continuity will win games. what's so convaluted about that.

of course the celtics are one of the only teams that wins championships, so much so that they've gone 20 years without one.

there is some truth that can be extracted from this, the NBA is the only main sport in which a superstar or two can single handedly dominate. the teams you named are the teams that drafted and groomed the best superstars in that era. you'll be happy to know that suggests the cavs, heat, nuggets etc. will be the ones winning titles soon

[CTY]

god you're an ass, i didnt lay claim to some master plan, i said teams that draft adroitly, dont overpay huge cash for FAs, dont fire coaches yearly, and keep some roster continuity will win games. what's so convaluted about that.

of course the celtics are one of the only teams that wins championships, so much so that they've gone 20 years without one.

there is some truth that can be extracted from this, the NBA is the only main sport in which a superstar or two can single handedly dominate. the teams you named are the teams that drafted and groomed the best superstars in that era. you'll be happy to know that suggests the cavs, heat, nuggets etc. will be the ones winning titles soon

If the heat dont win this year or next, they wont be winning titles anytime soon.

[IX Equilibrium]

i'm all for good defense, but good defense isn't why scoring dipped into the shitter. the spurs-nets finals from '03 didn't have 77-76 games because the defenses were fantastic. it was because teams ran countless isolation plays that drained the shot clock, forgot how to make good passes, and settled for 18 foot jumpers which was odd considering nobody in the league could make them.


Good defense doesn't cause lower scores? I beg to differ. And as I remember that series, New Jersey at that time loved to run. I remember Pop worked on transition defense by having the practice squad not take the ball out after baskets were made. They'd always go straight to the outlet to get them used to getting back in a hurry. The Spurs would slow it down using their half court offense, but there was ball movement and perimeter jumpers being made.

[ry66]

Then people wonder why the US gets shitkicked in international ball.

Don't kid yourself, the US is still dominant in basketball far and away. They don't even get 8 of their top 10 stars to play in the Olympics. Then you add on the fact they get 10 of their 12 players as shoot first guys and you get beat down.

I'd take the Pistons in the Olympics.... you need a team. You need two scorers, some rebounders, some defensive players (like they're doing with Bowen and such in '08), long range shooters. Fundamentals.

Why the US gets "shitkicked" in international ball? Did you see the 2004 roster? Marbury, Odom, and Boozer starting most games is a good place to start.

[ry66]

god you're an ass

I prefer (smart)ass or ass(hole). For future reference.

there is some truth that can be extracted from this, the NBA is the only main sport in which a superstar or two can single handedly dominate. the teams you named are the teams that drafted and groomed the best superstars in that era. you'll be happy to know that suggests the cavs, heat, nuggets etc. will be the ones winning titles soon

Oh I agree, I was an "ass" because you said the Pacers choked. I take offense because Reggie was one of the greatest clutch players of all-time and it's not his fault he was surrounded by Rik Smits, Derrick McKey, and Dale Davis to try to win titles.

If you meant the management that's A-OK, but I took it as the team choking. They took Jordan's Bulls to 7, Shaq and Kobe's Lakers to 6, current Pistons to 7, and always do more than they probably should on paper.

Now they just need to slap themselves for trading Ron Artest over the much overrated Jermaine O'Neal.

[Necrocide]

Just as a preface here, Tom Goes to the Mayor is the worst thing to ever be on television. Seriously. Even worse than Martin, Living Single, Will and Grace, and gay porn.

Anyway, I'm very intrigued by the Easten Conference finals. It's a study in contrasts and has the potential to turn out some very interesting games.

On one side, you've got the Yankees of basketball, the Miami Heat. They've got Shaq, Wade, Payton, Williams, Haslem, Walker, Mourning, and probably some more people that I don't realize. They're a high priced bunch with a high profile coach assembled for the sake of winning RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW. They can play some serious ball, but there's been problems gelling.

On the other, you've got Detroit. Detroit is full of guys that mainly became stars by playing on the Pistons for the last few years in Hamilton, Prince, and Ben Wallace. Then you have the guys that came to the team from somewhere else and have either improved or are more important because of the system in Detroit, like Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Antonio McDyess. They're not an all-star team, but they may be the best TEAM in basketball.

One team is going to be considered a colossal failure if they don't win it all, and the other team will be more disappointed in themselves than anyone else will if they don't win it all. Fun stuff.

On the other side, I really want the Spurs to go away so we can get either Dallas vs. Phoenix/LA Clippers. Why? BECAUSE I WANT A SERIES IN WHICH BOTH TEAMS AVERAGE 150 PPG.

[Bev]

10-0 for fvpwncal now...

[Necrocide]

I really hope your sig is the result of a lost sig bet.

[IX Equilibrium]

Well, that's it for the Spurs. I blame Pop. They could have won this, but he chose that fucking small ball lineup which they haven't played all season. Second best reg season record in the league and you're gona change your core lineups and the style that brought you success all year? wtf?

[the chairman211]

Well, that's it for the Spurs. I blame Pop. They could have won this, but he chose that fucking small ball lineup which they haven't played all season. Second best reg season record in the league and you're gona change your core lineups and the style that brought you success all year? wtf?
tough beat. still alot of damn titles, a healthy duncan, emerging parker etc.

[H]

fuck city slickers.

[Necrocide]

The Mavs (and Suns and Clips) were horrible matchups for the Spurs. They had nobody that could handle Nowitzki because Duncan isn't mobile enough with the bad foot and Bruce Bowen sucks at defense. He's good at fouling people and getting away with it most of the time, but he sucks at defense.

Stackhouse can create matchup problems too, because Manu Ginobli can only cover one guy at a time. And Finley was never exactly known for his defense. Tony Parker? Defense is an afterthought, and he's a poor shooter.

The Mavs have improved defense and they run the floor as well as any team in the league. The Spurs didn't really improve anything and Duncan has lost a step temporarily. When that happens, teams are going to lose.

Also, it pisses me off that Phoenix isn't missing anything, even with a hand in their face tonight. Steve Nash pisses me off because now people are comparing him to all time great point gaurds, and given his disappearing acts in the postseason, he doesn't deserve it.

[H]

http://the-seed.net/weblog/PHX_2-thumb.jpg

[Bev]

12-0 now, I've got this thing won now, right?

[Necron Eloheim]

Well, that's it for the Spurs. I blame Pop. They could have won this, but he chose that fucking small ball lineup which they haven't played all season. Second best reg season record in the league and you're gona change your core lineups and the style that brought you success all year? wtf? I told you to e-mail Pops punk ass :D

[IX Equilibrium]

Bruce Bowen sucks at defense. He's good at fouling people and getting away with it most of the time, but he sucks at defense.




The guy is only the best perimeter defender in the league. You think he was invited to the Olympic squad because of his offense??

[Necrocide]

The guy is the best at getting away with stuff. He's dirty as hell and gets away with bumping, pushing, and hand checking all the way up the court because of his "reputation" for being a great defensive player. If they let me get away with the stuff he does then I'd be able to shut guys down, too. There's nothing wrong with being able to get away with stuff because it's a talent in and of itself. But don't call it defense.

[pants]

The Mavs (and Suns and Clips) were horrible matchups for the Spurs. They had nobody that could handle Nowitzki because Duncan isn't mobile enough with the bad foot and Bruce Bowen sucks at defense. He's good at fouling people and getting away with it most of the time, but he sucks at defense.

Stackhouse can create matchup problems too, because Manu Ginobli can only cover one guy at a time. And Finley was never exactly known for his defense. Tony Parker? Defense is an afterthought, and he's a poor shooter.

The Mavs have improved defense and they run the floor as well as any team in the league. The Spurs didn't really improve anything and Duncan has lost a step temporarily. When that happens, teams are going to lose.

Also, it pisses me off that Phoenix isn't missing anything, even with a hand in their face tonight. Steve Nash pisses me off because now people are comparing him to all time great point gaurds, and given his disappearing acts in the postseason, he doesn't deserve it.
do you have one postive thing to say??

[Necrocide]

No parity? Untrue. There's been several other outstanding teams in the NBA that simply don't know how to get over the hump and win a championship. It's been that way forever.

Jordan had to learn how to get past the Pistons. He did.

Barkley and Ewing had to learn how to get past Jordan. They never did. That's not the league's fault that two all time great players couldn't get past Jordan.

Olajuwon knew what it took, and he did it. Malone and Stockton knew what it took, and they didn't do it.

The Pistons are taking guys that would have been considered lucky to start in the NBA for the most part and winning with them. It's not their fault that Pat Riley's all-star team hasn't won a championship yet.

Yeah, the Lakers won titles, too. It's not their fault that Kobe Bryant turned out to be a better HS draft pick than Tyson Chandler did.

Parity is measured better by the teams that contend for championships than the teams that win them. In the last 20 years, only six teams have won a championship, but 12 different teams have LOST in the NBA Finals. The Rockets, Bulls, and Spurs didn't lose in the Finals in that time frame, so it's safe to say that in the last 20 years, there have been at least 15 teams with a realistic chance at winning the NBA Championship.

Don't look at guys like Barkley, Ewing, Stockton, Malone, Weber, Miller, Iverson, Kidd, Kemp, and Drexler who were never able to get past the guys that were the best players in the league at the time in Jordan, Olajuwon, ShaqKobe, Duncan, and the Collective Intelligence Known as the Detroit Pistons and say there's no parity. The NBA's parity may not result in revolving door champions like the NFL, but it's there.

[kcb]

since my cavs lost, i'm rooting for the mavs.

[Necrocide]

Since my Jazz didn't make the playoffs, I'm waiting for the Lottery and hoping it's kind to us. If only there were a dominant center available from college. But you know what? I'd settle for Adam Morrison.

[CTY]

gay and boring. be ashamed

2 out of 3 aint bad.

[IX Equilibrium]

The guy is the best at getting away with stuff. He's dirty as hell and gets away with bumping, pushing, and hand checking all the way up the court because of his "reputation" for being a great defensive player. If they let me get away with the stuff he does then I'd be able to shut guys down, too. There's nothing wrong with being able to get away with stuff because it's a talent in and of itself. But don't call it defense.


Those are bitchy words right out of Ray Allen's mouth. Funny that players like Kobe and LeBron have publicly complimented his defense and writers and coaches alike vote him on 1st team NBA defense every year. The olympic squad also wants his ability that you refuse to call "defense". I'm sure he can live with that.

[Bev]

Those are bitchy words right out of Ray Allen's mouth. Funny that players like Kobe and LeBron have publicly complimented his defense and writers and coaches alike vote him on 1st team NBA defense every year. The olympic squad also wants his ability that you refuse to call "defense". I'm sure he can live with that.

Bowen will NOT be on the Olympic squad.

[IX Equilibrium]

Bowen will NOT be on the Olympic squad.


Care to wager?

[Necrocide]

Those are bitchy words right out of Ray Allen's mouth. Funny that players like Kobe and LeBron have publicly complimented his defense and writers and coaches alike vote him on 1st team NBA defense every year. The olympic squad also wants his ability that you refuse to call "defense". I'm sure he can live with that.

And how many times have LeBron and Kobe been mauled by Bowen? Very few, because they're going to get the benefit of the calls instead of him. He's known for defense, they're the faces of the league.

Dirty is dirty, and Bruce Bowen is dirty as hell.

But, you're a Spurs fan. I get it. When Donyell Marshall played for my beloved Jazz he was a guy that deserved to be considered for the All Star team because he was out there averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds a game. Now he's off somewhere else and I see him as a sixth man or a roleplayer. Have his stats changed much? No. But his uniform has. When Bowen plays for somebody else and is mugging Manu up and down the court, the tune will change.

[Bev]

Care to wager?

$20 real cash

[IX Equilibrium]

$20 real cash


Done

[IX Equilibrium]

And how many times have LeBron and Kobe been mauled by Bowen? Very few, because they're going to get the benefit of the calls instead of him. He's known for defense, they're the faces of the league.

Dirty is dirty, and Bruce Bowen is dirty as hell.

But, you're a Spurs fan. I get it. When Donyell Marshall played for my beloved Jazz he was a guy that deserved to be considered for the All Star team because he was out there averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds a game. Now he's off somewhere else and I see him as a sixth man or a roleplayer. Have his stats changed much? No. But his uniform has. When Bowen plays for somebody else and is mugging Manu up and down the court, the tune will change.


Dude, you saying Bowen can't play D is completely baseless on your part. You choose over and over to ignore statistics and recognized accomplishments given by the league. You think Bowen is dirty? Fine. But saying he can't play D is just ignorant. You ignoring facts and going off of your opinion is proof.

[Necrocide]

Stats? Accomplishments?

Barry Bonds has amazing stats and lots of awards. Doesn't change the fact that he's a steroid user and that he doesn't deserve half of what he's been given.

Bowen is dirty. He's obviously talented or he wouldn't be in the NBA, but he's about as skilled defensively as Bill Lambeer was. Take that for what it's worth.

[IX Equilibrium]

Take that for what it's worth.


Your words? Worth nothing.

Again, your baseless opinion doesn't let you see facts.

He was named to the NBA?s All-Defensive Team each of the last four seasons (second team selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before earning first team honors in 2004).

It's more fun debating with someone whose arguments actually have substance.

[ry66]

The guy is only the best perimeter defender in the league. You think he was invited to the Olympic squad because of his offense??

The guy in San Antonio shouldn't make the guy in Indianapolis tilt his head over the lack of Ron Artest in that sentence. I mean when I say Artest is #1 atleast I'd mention Bowen in the same sentence.

As for the Olympic team I hope to god they pick him, they started Odom, Boozer, and Marbury in 2004. They need scoring, rebounding, and defense, not just 2nd class NBA players and 5 shoot first guards.

[Bev]

Done

Transcript of Jerry Colangelo's phone call to Bruce Bowen this summer: "Hey, Bruce, umm . . . don't bother coming to the Olympic tryouts this summer. No, no, it was nothing you did! I didn't even see the Mavs-Spurs series! Seriously. We just decided to go in a different direction. . . ."

Easy Money

[IX Equilibrium]

I mean when I say Artest is #1 atleast I'd mention Bowen in the same sentence.




That's a fair statement

[Necrocide]

Bruce Bowen is Charles Oakley, if Charles Oakley didn't get called for fouls.

I'd take Artest over Bowen every single day of the week. I'd take Kirilenko over Bowen too, even if the Jazz weren't my favorite team. Regardless of awards, the guy is overrated.

[the chairman211]

Easy Money
easy money like the fact that that isn't marc stein you're quoting?

i agree he wont make it however.

[elgigante]

detroit made that game a lot closer than it should have been

[the chairman211]

i will go on record right now:

if the rockets draft either morrison or redick i am fucking disavowing them completely.

[IX Equilibrium]

if the rockets draft either morrison or redick i am fucking disavowing them completely.


you racist fuck ;)

[Bev]

At this point, 15-0 looks pretty realistic. Will I get an award for picking EVERY SINGLE series in advance of the entire playoffs? If the Heat beat the Mavs in the Finals, that's what'll happen.

[White Snake II]

Imagine if the Pistons get eliminated today, the Tigers lose to the YankMes again and there are mass suicides in Detroit. That would be funny.

[tak]

one things for sure; steve nash knows how to party -

http://www.deadspin.com/images/2006/05/doingthenash.jpg

[H]

Nash rock the party nigga!

[elgigante]

shaq got in early foul trouble and it just killed miami. that and the fact detroit decided to actually play with a fire lit under their ass for the first time in this series. great D by them all game

[Bev]

shaq got in early foul trouble and it just killed miami. that and the fact detroit decided to actually play with a fire lit under their ass for the first time in this series. great D by them all game

Miami will win. fvsocal is going 15-0.

It is inevitable.

[CTY]

shaq got in early foul trouble and it just killed miami. that and the fact detroit decided to actually play with a fire lit under their ass for the first time in this series. great D by them all game

Not to mention Miami went 6-20 at the free throw line...thing is Shaq only shot 5 FT's. Pwnt.

[H]

suns gettin that ass whooped. dissapoint phoenix once again suns! do it to keep tradition of being utter failures!

[elgigante]

is bell playing for you guys?

[H]

no just 1 play. i think thats what i heard. i didnt see it all. was workin.

[the chairman211]

i was a huge shaq fan back in the orlando days (jersey in tow) and wade is good shit. i guess i'll go for miami > dallas.

but really as long as it's either dallas, phx, or miami...who cares

[Bev]

i was a huge shaq fan back in the orlando days (jersey in tow) and wade is good shit. i guess i'll go for miami > dallas.

but really as long as it's either dallas, phx, or miami...who cares

Miami over Dallas. Why? I predicted it on page one of this thread.

[Necron Eloheim]

Shit, Dirk put a hurting on the Suns last night. Looks like Dallas/Miami could be a possibility.

[CTY]

Shit, Dirk put a hurting on the Suns last night. Looks like Dallas/Miami could be a possibility.

50 pts and 12 boards aint no joke, but keeping in mind it IS the Suns theyre playing. I still got hope for the Pistons making it, but Miami is playin some serious ball. I'd much rather see Dallas/Detroit than Dallas/Miami.

[Necron Eloheim]

I didn't see last nights game but I did see the stat sheet. Shaq is still showing that there's nobody out there that can stop him.

[pants]

one things for sure; steve nash knows how to party -

http://www.deadspin.com/images/2006/05/doingthenash.jpg
*does "the nash"*

[CTY]

*does "the nash"*

PANTS!!!
PANTS!!!!
PANTS!!!

[H]

Well, Phoenix's run comes to an end. with the injuries n such, probably shouldnt have even made it this far, but damn, its still disapointing. i wish they could have at least fought to seven games.

[CTY]

Well, Phoenix's run comes to an end. with the injuries n such, probably shouldnt have even made it this far, but damn, its still disapointing. i wish they could have at least fought to seven games.

If they had Amare it would be a different story, although I think Dallas wouldve still taken it.

[H]

i dont think its fair to speculate what would have been with Amare, because of how well they played without him. im just gonna close the books on this season, and maybe next year they can take the next step. was fun to watch them once again, though. exciting team they have now. i love it.

[tak]

i like you heckyl, so i hate to rub it in, but it's hilarious to me to see phoenix not even make the finals for two years in a row after so many of the so-called "experts" were saying things like "the suns have shown that offense can beat defense" and that "the suns had changed the way the game is played."

[H]

well they have. until the finals. and thats the fucking problem, as you are pointing out. they cant turn it up when the other team starts to slow it down. they have a problem finishing strong. they got dominated in the second half every game but one.

[Bev]

they have a problem finishing strong. they got dominated in the second half every game but one.

That wasn't a problem in the regular season. But back-to-back seven game series prior to the conference finals will take a huge toll on a six or seven man rotation... They were just gassed in the Dallas series.

[H]

i had thought about that too. they played 20 playoff games. fuck.

[Bev]

i had thought about that too. they played 20 playoff games. fuck.

Yep yep. That's why Dallas had to come back to win games six and seven, including a large deficit in game six. When they were fresh, Phoenix was lighting Dallas up... They needed Amare, another ball-handling guard, and a healthier Kurt Thomas.

[CTY]

Miami over Dallas. Why? I predicted it on page one of this thread.

You had a good run on the picks, but I think thats about over. Dallas went up 2-0 with another dominant game over Miami.

[the chairman211]

i didnt expect this to be a terribly competitive final, and so far it aint. i would also note that shaq is 1-6 in his last 7 NBA Final games

[Bev]

Shaq's game 4 against the Pistons was 36 points/20 rebounds. Don't blame the big man for Kobe's implosion that year.

[CTY]

Shaq's game 4 against the Pistons was 36 points/20 rebounds. Don't blame the big man for Kobe's implosion that year.

Yesterday Shaq had 5 pts and 6 rbs, and got outscored by Dampier, he got pwnt.

[Bishop]

I don't feel like making another thread....J.J. Redick got busted with a DWI

will it effect his draft position? does it matter? he's not NBA star material....but maybe he can be as good as Jon Barry coming off the bench and hit clutch 3's like Dale Ellis

[Necrocide]

Duke don't raise nothin but hooligans! Bunch of whore-raping lacrosse players and now a DWI for their poster boy.

[CTY]

I don't feel like making another thread....J.J. Redick got busted with a DWI

will it effect his draft position? does it matter? he's not NBA star material....but maybe he can be as good as Jon Barry coming off the bench and hit clutch 3's like Dale Ellis

It wont change his draft position at all imo. If a team needs a player that can play immediately but doesnt have star potential they'll take him in a heart beat. So no, it doesnt matter that he got a DWI.

[elgigante]

Josh Howard is having a big first half tonight. 19 points 7 boards and the mavs are up 8

[the chairman211]

my gracious. this is the best Finals game i've seen in years. two teams fighting back and forth and actually MAKING plays. smart passes, hitting contested jumpers, things you dont see much. dwyane is just a beast right now

[elgigante]

wade's on fire

[dy-no-mite3000]

ive been periodically watching the playoffs this year.

now this fuckign stupid time out call by the mavs... omg i wanna fucking scream. oh and all the ot games fucking rule this year and i hate basketball

[elgigante]

miami won a thriller

[dy-no-mite3000]

fucking hell miami.
wade fucking took this home for them big time this game. i actually paused the winky and bhop fights from hbo to watch the last half hr of the game.

[the chairman211]

what a slugfest, instant classic.

i think miami is the first team to ever sweep the middle 3 home games of a 2-3-2. most importantly, dwyane wade welcome to the Pantheon

[ry66]

Really? They might as well call this the National Free Throw Association.

25FT attempts by Wade? That's everything that's wrong with the NBA and they never get called out by the media. Michael Jordan getting SOME calls? Fine. But there are currently 10-15 players in the NBA that get fouls called for nothing. People like Wade, Paul Pierce, and numerous others just run into the lane, hit someone big, and toss the ball in the air. That's not basketball.

A finals game should not be determined by a questionable "I saw that coming" foul with 2 seconds left. Classic games are made on a man making a big shot, not hitting free throws.

Now I have no love for Dallas or Miami.... but this game is why the NBA is the #7 rated sport in the US.

[the chairman211]

Really? They might as well call this the National Free Throw Association.

25FT attempts by Wade? That's everything that's wrong with the NBA and they never get called out by the media. Michael Jordan getting SOME calls? Fine. But there are currently 10-15 players in the NBA that get fouls called for nothing. People like Wade, Paul Pierce, and numerous others just run into the lane, hit someone big, and toss the ball in the air. That's not basketball.

A finals game should not be determined by a questionable "I saw that coming" foul with 2 seconds left. Classic games are made on a man making a big shot, not hitting free throws.

Now I have no love for Dallas or Miami.... but this game is why the NBA is the #7 rated sport in the US.
either you are saying classic games ONLY turn on a last second made shot (retarded), or you missed the 29432 sick shots wade made in the 4th quarter including the shot to force OT.

[ry66]

An NBA Finals game and perhaps NBA Championship should not be won via the free throw line.

Those "29432 sick shots" were all negated by the fact the game ends at the line on a questionable call. We remember Jordan's shots over Ehlo and Russell.... not him winning a title on free throws. We remember Horry and Reggie and Paxson and Kerr, we don't remember a free throw to win a game. This is killing basketball.

I'm not exactly on an even scale here, I've been bitching about this for three years now. There is no reason a human being should shoot 25 or more free throws during a game unless it's Superman and people are dragging him down everytime he touches the ball.

[ry66]

Or to put it more simply I'll magically show you Pat Riley's timeout coaching in two different situations:

1985 Lakers: "Cooper, throw it in to Magic. Magic, circle the lane and wait for the Worthy pick.... drive the lane and setup Kareem for the sky hook and the win. BREAK!"

2006 Heat: "Throw it to Dwayne. Dwayne, draw a foul. BREAK!"

[Bev]

The Mavs have no room to complain. Dirk's big "breakthrough" performance against the Spurs was to simply take on dribble, flop into the defender, and walk to the line... He shot a BAZILLION free throws in that series. In fact, during game four, Dirk broke the NBA record for free throw attempts by a player in a single posteseason... And it ain't over yet. The Mavs need to STFU with their bullshit. Game five was officiated by the same crew from game one, that went foul-crazy on Miami for attempting to play overly physical defense (grabbing, blocking). Avery Johnson publicly calls out his team in the media to get "tougher" on DWade, and then he's suprised there's an uptick in foul calls, by the same crew?

What's good for the goose, Avery...

[Marshal G.K. Zhukov]

Let me preface this by saying this is just a whisper made by media people:

Apparently Cuban went off after the game yelling obscenities at Stern and needed to be held back by his retinue as he tried to get down to the court to where Stern was sitting. He actually yelled at Stern that his league is RIGGED.

Seriously, from top to bottom the Mavs take adversity like bitches. From Cuban heckling the league's commisioner, AJ blaming the refs for losses, and Dirk throwing up all over the front of his jersey.

[ry66]

I have no stake whatsoever in Mavs/Heat, I'm a sad Pacers fan. An NBA finals game shouldn't be decided at the line.... especially a rubber game.

I've been bitching about three players for the last 2+ years, Richard Jefferson, Paul Pierce, and Dwayne Wade.... and guess what? I saw an ESPN article today where it said those 3 are the very top 3 in the NBA at free throws per FG attempted.

I was shocked at how right I was. I'll break it down individually:

1. Richard Jefferson - Fine player.... but I have 2 Nets friends to whom I called him "Lil' Reggie" because like my favorite player ever Reggie Miller he'd scream like a girl and flail his arms anytime he bumped into somebody. Grow up.

2. Dwayne Wade - GREAT player.... no disrespect to Wade, he's the one guy where I can say it's not his fault and it's the official's fault. They call fouls when you look at his family in the stands. But he shoots WAY too many free throws, maybe I just think a small guard shouldn't be able to drive the lane and run into someone and get an automatic call. Once again, not his fault, the official's fault.

3. Paul Pierce - the worst. He just drives the lane over and over again and runs into a big guy, then throws the ball way up in the air. He looks for cheap fouls and is a cheap player. Can he hit big shots? Yes. But anytime he drives the lane late in a game he's drawing the cheap foul by running into someone.

These players/refs are killing the game. MAKE A SHOT.... no one remember the big free throws to win a title.

[CTY]

An NBA Finals game and perhaps NBA Championship should not be won via the free throw line.

Those "29432 sick shots" were all negated by the fact the game ends at the line on a questionable call. We remember Jordan's shots over Ehlo and Russell.... not him winning a title on free throws. We remember Horry and Reggie and Paxson and Kerr, we don't remember a free throw to win a game. This is killing basketball.

I'm not exactly on an even scale here, I've been bitching about this for three years now. There is no reason a human being should shoot 25 or more free throws during a game unless it's Superman and people are dragging him down everytime he touches the ball.

I loved how the commentators said this was an ''excellent performance'' and all that shit, its easy to score 30+ points when you shoot 28 fg's and 25 ft's.

[the chairman211]

crazy shit in hindsight.

the heat won a title. pat riley, VERY retired a few months ago won another title. shaq won a 4th, and played a minimal role in getting it. alonzo mourning's third kidney has a ring. derek anderson, shandon anderson, doleac, kapono, simien have a ring. antoine walker has a ring. payton got a ring, and not from jumping on the Lakers. lastly, jason williams has a ring (*declares PG the least important position ever*)

[tak]

fuck. i really didn't want to see shaq win any more titles. good for wade though, that kid's fucking amazing.

[the chairman211]

haha, shit look at the heat asst. coaches. bimbo coles, keith askins, bob mcadoo! i also enjoy doleac helping to deny keith van horn a title

[Oliver Klosov]

I predict the Heat will win it all.

[ry66]

I've never seen so many non fans (meaning fans of teams not in the finals of any sport) so upset over an outcome. It was like a great playoffs were ruined by bad officials in the final two games. I've got Nets fans calling "fucking bullshit" and Nuggets fans saying "fucking fixed" and Sonics fans saying "this officiating was pathetic" left and right. I've never seen this is any other series in any other sport.

Game 5 was straight up borderline fixed. Game 6 was let go but the Wade "elbow Dirk in the chest with 25 seconds left and he fouled you somehow" call and then the last few seconds where they screwed the Heat to give the Mavs a chance to tie.

This was just awful on multiple fronts.

[CTY]

I've never seen so many non fans (meaning fans of teams not in the finals of any sport) so upset over an outcome. It was like a great playoffs were ruined by bad officials in the final two games. I've got Nets fans calling "fucking bullshit" and Nuggets fans saying "fucking fixed" and Sonics fans saying "this officiating was pathetic" left and right. I've never seen this is any other series in any other sport.

Game 5 was straight up borderline fixed. Game 6 was let go but the Wade "elbow Dirk in the chest with 25 seconds left and he fouled you somehow" call and then the last few seconds where they screwed the Heat to give the Mavs a chance to tie.

This was just awful on multiple fronts.

ANY game that involved O'Neal and Wade was bullshit officiating. Fuck David Stern and the NBA Officials.

[CTY]

I've never seen so many non fans (meaning fans of teams not in the finals of any sport) so upset over an outcome. It was like a great playoffs were ruined by bad officials in the final two games. I've got Nets fans calling "fucking bullshit" and Nuggets fans saying "fucking fixed" and Sonics fans saying "this officiating was pathetic" left and right. I've never seen this is any other series in any other sport.

Game 5 was straight up borderline fixed. Game 6 was let go but the Wade "elbow Dirk in the chest with 25 seconds left and he fouled you somehow" call and then the last few seconds where they screwed the Heat to give the Mavs a chance to tie.

This was just awful on multiple fronts.

Also, Cuban has every right to bitch, complain and call out the officials AND the nba for this. Even the very last play of the game, Payton grabbed, pulled and tugged on Terry's Jersey before the final shot. foul?! fuck no, not on the almighty heat and shaq diesel. On a side note, mad reps to fvsocal/bevmitchell for calling a flawless(officiating aside) playoffs. Come get some reps motha fucka.

[pants]

good to see Gary Payton winning a ring at last.

[the chairman211]

I've never seen so many non fans (meaning fans of teams not in the finals of any sport) so upset over an outcome. It was like a great playoffs were ruined by bad officials in the final two games. I've got Nets fans calling "fucking bullshit" and Nuggets fans saying "fucking fixed" and Sonics fans saying "this officiating was pathetic" left and right. I've never seen this is any other series in any other sport.

Game 5 was straight up borderline fixed. Game 6 was let go but the Wade "elbow Dirk in the chest with 25 seconds left and he fouled you somehow" call and then the last few seconds where they screwed the Heat to give the Mavs a chance to tie.

This was just awful on multiple fronts.
i guess you 'saw' a ton of non-fans in the 30 minutes between the game ending and you posting. if the league fixed things why didnt they force a game 7 for max ratings. tell them to quit bitching

[Bev]

Also, Cuban has every right to bitch, complain and call out the officials AND the nba for this. Even the very last play of the game, Payton grabbed, pulled and tugged on Terry's Jersey before the final shot. foul?! fuck no, not on the almighty heat and shaq diesel. On a side note, mad reps to fvsocal/bevmitchell for calling a flawless(officiating aside) playoffs. Come get some reps motha fucka.

Hey hey thank you very much. I had a couple friends call me last night over it... That was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I have a few people I'd like to thank. Dick Bavetta, David Stern, Russ Granik, Avery Johnson (for intentionally fouling Shaq like crazy and somehow being upset his team spent the WHOLE GAME in the penalty), my future ex-wife LadyDank, the Chairman, NHB, and BK as a whole.

:::bows:::

Somebody make me a banner.

[CTY]

Man was I drunk last night. But I still hate Shaq and Payton.

[the chairman211]

Hey hey thank you very much. I had a couple friends call me last night over it... That was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I have a few people I'd like to thank. Dick Bavetta, David Stern, Russ Granik, Avery Johnson (for intentionally fouling Shaq like crazy and somehow being upset his team spent the WHOLE GAME in the penalty), my future ex-wife LadyDank, the Chairman, NHB, and BK as a whole.

:::bows:::

Somebody make me a banner.
i've gravy trained my way to greatness!

[Marshal G.K. Zhukov]

The Mavs from top to bottom are a whiney, soft team. They could have crushed the Heat if they went to the rim and drew fouls in the 4th quarter in each of thier losses, epseically Dirk. Essentially they said, "Gee there is alot of blood under the rim, let me shoot this 17-foot fade away jumper instead." Also lol at fouling Shaq in OT before they got into the bonus. Dumbass.

Zo dunking and flexing and having an epilectic fit on the ground in front of a terrified and muted Dallas crowd was awesome, It was a pleasure to see him be a factor in the series-winner with his 5 blocks.

[Necron Eloheim]

Zo rules. I've always liked his intensity. 13 years man, it's been a long time coming.

[White Snake II]

Will Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett be traded this offseason?

[Bev]

Will Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett be traded this offseason?

Nope. The old days of superstar megadeal trades are over. The Shaq trade will be the last of it's variety for a long time, other than a player (such as Vince) openly tanking to force a trade. Even David Stern has stated this is the only way to get traded these days. If KG suddenly came down with shin splints or a bad ankle sprain, missed every third game and averaged 14 and 8, he'd be traded in a hearbeat. As long as he's good for 25/10 and a talcum poweder clap, he's a T-Wolf for life.

[elgigante]

Nope. The old days of superstar megadeal trades are over. The Shaq trade will be the last of it's variety for a long time, other than a player (such as Vince) openly tanking to force a trade. Even David Stern has stated this is the only way to get traded these days. If KG suddenly came down with shin splints or a bad ankle sprain, missed every third game and averaged 14 and 8, he'd be traded in a hearbeat. As long as he's good for 25/10 and a talcum poweder clap, he's a T-Wolf for life.

celtics are loading up with an awful lot of guards to try and make a run at iverson