NBA Playoffs

jbergey22 · 04-23-2009, 02:12 AM

The NBA playoffs this year are a joke IMO. The only competitive series seems to be Bulls-Celtics while every other game is so lopsided its not even worth watching past the first 6 minutes. Also, I vaguely remember I time not long ago when NBA teams actually tried to play defense in the playoffs. Cavs-Lakers are going to roll through this crop of weaklins and HOPEFULLY bring their best for the NBA Finals.

I guess I can give the sixers some credit atleast they dont quit like the other teams. They put the Magic to sleep and stole one from them at Orlando.

Michael Hopcroft · 04-23-2009, 05:02 PM

It'll get better, and more dramatic, in the conference semis. And there have been some competitive series, like Rockets-Blazers -- the underdog teams are still determined to make a game of it. And yes, I consider Portland an underdog team despite their having homecourt and my being in Portland.

jbergey22 · 04-23-2009, 10:32 PM

The trend continues....

Michael Hopcroft · 04-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Yes, but every series that played last night is at 2-1. The same teams aren't getting the blowouts game in and game out -- well, except for the Cavs, but everyone should agree they're having a special year in Cleveland.

jbergey22 · 04-24-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hopcroft

Yes, but every series that played last night is at 2-1. The same teams aren't getting the blowouts game in and game out -- well, except for the Cavs, but everyone should agree they're having a special year in Cleveland.

Its not so much the series matchups I am talking about it is the individual games. They just arent much fun to watch when it is 40-18 in the 2nd quarter. The Lakers-Jazz game last night brought some life back to the playoffs though. It was nice to actually see two teams fighting for a win.

phightin · 04-24-2009, 11:51 PM

it's the first round of course most games are gonna be tilted with the higher seeds running it on the lower seeds, isn't the ncaa. And watch a sixers magic game, another one at the buzzer.

kenyan_cheena · 04-28-2009, 12:17 AM

Nuggets 121 Hornets 63

Talk about laying a big stinkin' turd. And in probably their final home game of the season.

KurtBevacqua · 04-28-2009, 12:35 AM

I gotta say that Bulls-Celtics series makes up for all the rest. That is probably the highest quality basketball I have seen played by two teams in at least 20 years.

Bryan Swartz · 04-28-2009, 12:38 AM

Wow, I couldn't disagree more with that. It's been exciting basketball, but not particularly high-quality.

Jose Cardenal's Afro · 04-28-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua

I gotta say that Bulls-Celtics series makes up for all the rest. That is probably the highest quality basketball I have seen played by two teams in at least 20 years.

Both teams are making horrible mistakes, but they make them together so its exciting.

phightin · 04-28-2009, 03:52 PM

Sixers Magic has had 3 of the four games come down to the last shot and most of the games have been quality so far. Personally, I think the playoffs are fine this year. It's only the first round, and taken into account how bad it was in the 90s when the bulls, knicks, and jazz would destroy teams each year the playoffs have been great. the nba is hurting though from the recession looking at the empty seats in some of the stadiums that's for sure. In the long run they'll be fine though, unlike the nhl i think which is dieing a fast death.

Michael Hopcroft · 04-28-2009, 09:03 PM

Well, I believe the end is apporaching in Portland. Nate McMillan is railing against the officials, risking a fine, but I doubt it will make much difference. The Blazs are simply outclassed this year.

Next year, though, may be another story. There's always next year.

His Own Bad Self · 04-29-2009, 02:44 AM

Tonight I saw the best and worst of Ben Gordon. He's fun to have on your team when he's hitting his shots. When he's not... ugh.

I feel like the Bulls should have won this series already.

Random fact about the Bulls: six members of their rotation (at full strength) played in at least one Final Four game: Hinrich, Gordon, Rose, Thomas, Noah, and Deng. I intend to research other teams past and present to find out how common that is. Boston, for example, has one, Glen Davis; it looks like Allen and Pierce both got to regional finals, but no further.

BaseballMan · 04-29-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Nuggets 121 Hornets 63

Talk about laying a big stinkin' turd. And in probably their final home game of the season.

I have a feeling that the win will come back to haunt the Nuggets.
I think the Nuggets may have played their best game too soon.

jaxmagicman · 04-29-2009, 12:41 PM

I don't care what Ranjo Rando says, he is a dirty dirty player. I am not just talking about the full hand slap to Brad Miller's face. I am talking about the other things. Early in the game Kirk Heinrich blows past him and what does Rando do? Instead of going for the ball at all he sticks his leg out and trips him. Heinrich goes straight to the floor. Late in the game, Rose blows past him, what does Rando do, stick out a leg and trip him as well.

I see that as dirty and three flagrant fouls that should have been called, (the Rose one might not have been but seeing how he played the rest of the game certainly fits in).

Lou Wuerfelball · 04-29-2009, 01:20 PM

Didn't he get a flagrant earlier in the series? I have a feeling the next game in this series is going to get ugly. Rondo, made no effort whatsoever to go for the ball on that last foul.

Vris · 04-29-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by His Own Bad Self

I feel like the Bulls should have won this series already.

Funny,

I think the same about the Celtics.

Vris · 04-29-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

I don't care what Ranjo Rando says, he is a dirty dirty player. I am not just talking about the full hand slap to Brad Miller's face. I am talking about the other things. Early in the game Kirk Heinrich blows past him and what does Rando do? Instead of going for the ball at all he sticks his leg out and trips him. Heinrich goes straight to the floor. Late in the game, Rose blows past him, what does Rando do, stick out a leg and trip him as well.

I see that as dirty and three flagrant fouls that should have been called, (the Rose one might not have been but seeing how he played the rest of the game certainly fits in).

Well the foul on Miller had to happen as it was a 2 point game with a wide open layup. If he didn't foul him, something was wrong.

I know your being facetious about them being flagrants, because Rose tripped over his own feet and knocked his knee into Rondo. The one on Heinrich was a little blatant, and obviously a foul, but nothing malicious about it. Unless your talking about the one where Heinrich hit his head on the floor. Still not a flagrant though.

Big Baby should've gotten a flagrant for his acting job Sunday.

Michael Hopcroft · 04-29-2009, 05:05 PM

The story of the Houston-Portland series, besides the questionable officiating (which has resulted in $100,000 in total fines to both coaches and both front offices), has been the sudden, unexpected emergence of Luis Scola as an offensive juggernaut. Scola has been hot, and it's hard to put a finger on why specifically. Lamarcus Aldridge is not an experienced defender, but he's not that bad. Scola is hitting shots he has no business taking, let alone making, and has become the go-to guy up front when Yao is defended well.

Without Scola, this series would have an entirely different result. (Although it isn't quite decided -- the Blazers had a deceptively-margined 11-point win last night at home, and my therapist is demanding that I be positive about their chances. It's weird -- I thought a therapist's job was to point out delusional thinking....)

Oh, and I just heard that Orlando's Dwight Howard will be suspended for Game 6 against the Sixers for a flagrant elbow to the head. This should be interesting....

jaxmagicman · 04-29-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vris

Well the foul on Miller had to happen as it was a 2 point game with a wide open layup. If he didn't foul him, something was wrong.

I know your being facetious about them being flagrants, because Rose tripped over his own feet and knocked his knee into Rondo. The one on Heinrich was a little blatant, and obviously a foul, but nothing malicious about it. Unless your talking about the one where Heinrich hit his head on the floor. Still not a flagrant though.

Big Baby should've gotten a flagrant for his acting job Sunday.

Any play where a player goes for the player and not the ball is a flagrant foul by the rules. In neither case, (I will discount the Rose one because the one I was actually talking about was on Perkins) did Rondo make a play at the ball, he went after the player pure and simple. Both were flagrant and obvious.

04-23-2009, 02:12 AM	#1
jbergey22 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,481	NBA Playoffs The NBA playoffs this year are a joke IMO. The only competitive series seems to be Bulls-Celtics while every other game is so lopsided its not even worth watching past the first 6 minutes. Also, I vaguely remember I time not long ago when NBA teams actually tried to play defense in the playoffs. Cavs-Lakers are going to roll through this crop of weaklins and HOPEFULLY bring their best for the NBA Finals. I guess I can give the sixers some credit atleast they dont quit like the other teams. They put the Magic to sleep and stole one from them at Orlando. Last edited by jbergey22; 04-23-2009 at 02:15 AM.

04-28-2009, 12:35 AM	#8
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	I gotta say that Bulls-Celtics series makes up for all the rest. That is probably the highest quality basketball I have seen played by two teams in at least 20 years. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

04-29-2009, 12:41 PM	#15
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	I don't care what Ranjo Rando says, he is a dirty dirty player. I am not just talking about the full hand slap to Brad Miller's face. I am talking about the other things. Early in the game Kirk Heinrich blows past him and what does Rando do? Instead of going for the ball at all he sticks his leg out and trips him. Heinrich goes straight to the floor. Late in the game, Rose blows past him, what does Rando do, stick out a leg and trip him as well. I see that as dirty and three flagrant fouls that should have been called, (the Rose one might not have been but seeing how he played the rest of the game certainly fits in). __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

04-29-2009, 05:05 PM	#19
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 487	The story of the Houston-Portland series, besides the questionable officiating (which has resulted in $100,000 in total fines to both coaches and both front offices), has been the sudden, unexpected emergence of Luis Scola as an offensive juggernaut. Scola has been hot, and it's hard to put a finger on why specifically. Lamarcus Aldridge is not an experienced defender, but he's not that bad. Scola is hitting shots he has no business taking, let alone making, and has become the go-to guy up front when Yao is defended well. Without Scola, this series would have an entirely different result. (Although it isn't quite decided -- the Blazers had a deceptively-margined 11-point win last night at home, and my therapist is demanding that I be positive about their chances. It's weird -- I thought a therapist's job was to point out delusional thinking....) Oh, and I just heard that Orlando's Dwight Howard will be suspended for Game 6 against the Sixers for a flagrant elbow to the head. This should be interesting.... Last edited by Michael Hopcroft; 04-29-2009 at 05:09 PM.

04-23-2009, 05:02 PM	#2
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 487	It'll get better, and more dramatic, in the conference semis. And there have been some competitive series, like Rockets-Blazers -- the underdog teams are still determined to make a game of it. And yes, I consider Portland an underdog team despite their having homecourt and my being in Portland.

04-23-2009, 10:32 PM	#3
jbergey22 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,481	The trend continues....

04-24-2009, 02:49 PM	#4
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 487	Yes, but every series that played last night is at 2-1. The same teams aren't getting the blowouts game in and game out -- well, except for the Cavs, but everyone should agree they're having a special year in Cleveland.

04-24-2009, 11:51 PM	#6
phightin All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 586	it's the first round of course most games are gonna be tilted with the higher seeds running it on the lower seeds, isn't the ncaa. And watch a sixers magic game, another one at the buzzer.

04-28-2009, 12:17 AM	#7
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	Nuggets 121 Hornets 63 Talk about laying a big stinkin' turd. And in probably their final home game of the season.

04-28-2009, 12:38 AM	#9
Bryan Swartz Major Leagues Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 457	Wow, I couldn't disagree more with that. It's been exciting basketball, but not particularly high-quality.

04-28-2009, 03:52 PM	#11
phightin All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 586	Sixers Magic has had 3 of the four games come down to the last shot and most of the games have been quality so far. Personally, I think the playoffs are fine this year. It's only the first round, and taken into account how bad it was in the 90s when the bulls, knicks, and jazz would destroy teams each year the playoffs have been great. the nba is hurting though from the recession looking at the empty seats in some of the stadiums that's for sure. In the long run they'll be fine though, unlike the nhl i think which is dieing a fast death.

04-28-2009, 09:03 PM	#12
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 487	Well, I believe the end is apporaching in Portland. Nate McMillan is railing against the officials, risking a fine, but I doubt it will make much difference. The Blazs are simply outclassed this year. Next year, though, may be another story. There's always next year.

04-29-2009, 02:44 AM	#13
His Own Bad Self All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,221	Tonight I saw the best and worst of Ben Gordon. He's fun to have on your team when he's hitting his shots. When he's not... ugh. I feel like the Bulls should have won this series already. Random fact about the Bulls: six members of their rotation (at full strength) played in at least one Final Four game: Hinrich, Gordon, Rose, Thomas, Noah, and Deng. I intend to research other teams past and present to find out how common that is. Boston, for example, has one, Glen Davis; it looks like Allen and Pierce both got to regional finals, but no further.

04-29-2009, 01:20 PM	#16
Lou Wuerfelball Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 116	Didn't he get a flagrant earlier in the series? I have a feeling the next game in this series is going to get ugly. Rondo, made no effort whatsoever to go for the ball on that last foul.