2010 NBA Playoffs

[guest301]

The Cavs-Celtics series is one where you hope they can both lose, somehow, and I think it can happen. First, Africa's team (Celtics) need to come out and win the game tomorrow because they will not win a game 7 on the road. The collapse of the selfish, narcisist, and overhyped LeBron will be a good thing to watch for sure.

Then, I think Orlando will make quick work of Boston, which will set up a Lakers/Magic re-match in the finals. I will be looking for Pau to win the Finals MVP in that scenario.

Interesting prediction of Gasol beating out Kobe for finals MVP. Would Kobe allow that to happen by hogging the ball in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line? I don't have the answer to that question, maybe now that Kobe is approaching the downside of his career he may care more about winning championships than personal glory.

 

[Liverlips]

I don't know guys. I gave up on NBA basketball years ago. While I wish whites well they are just not gonna get a chance in the openly racist NBA. I get hopeful reading these posts and then tune in to a game and see 9 or 10 blacks jumping up and down the court.

College basketball and international basketball are much fairer than the NBA which is literally in the dark ages. Even in the 80s and 90s we had majority white teams like the Celtics and Jazz. Now we are lucky to get one white guy on the entire team.

 

[j41181]

The Cavs just lost, the media may downplay it due to LeBrick's apparent elbow injury. But in truth, it's obviously one of the worst collapses in NBA history. LeBrick's 9 TURNOVERS has to be an NBA playoff record for recklessness, overrated-ness, choking-ness.

Dirk never made 9 turnovers and has unjustly been labeled a choker over the years. Nash has never made 9 turnovers and has unjustly been labeled overrated over the years. Lebron's latest downfall is poetic justice for both Dirk and Nash. Proof that if anyone is really overrated and needs a lot of growing up, it's "Queen" Lebron James.

Now, I'm hoping the Magic put their well rested legs into full advantage against the very game but battered Celtics. A Magic vs. Suns/Lakers Finals scenario is the best anyone in CF can hope for.

Liverlips, hear you, it's really sad how both the NBA and NFL are practically black, and it's even worse for the NBA. I've seen a number of games from the 70's and 80's, and even caught several old footages of games from the 50's and 60's. To see pre-80's players then like Mikan, Pettit, Cousy, Arizin, Schayes, Twyman, West, Barry, Havlicek, Cowens, Johnshton, Mikkelsen, Walton, etc... has been really a joy. Now, it's practically coal black, and I've learned to simply focus just on the white players, while completely ignoring the black ones, except when it's really time to see my preferred team to win.

Compared to the 90's (the Black Zenith), the 2000-2010 decade has been a blessing. White stars like Stojakovic, Gasol, Nowitzki, Nash, Ginobili, Ilgauskas, Lee, and Kaman have made the decade memorable for whites since the 80's. But, I won't be too excited about the incoming decade (2010-2020), I fear it will be the BLACKEST AGE yet in NBA history.

 

[white is right]

Guys Lebron was obviously distracted he was trying to put in a challenge to Wladimir Klitschko for his title and trying to captain team USA for the World Cup. Superman can only do so many things at once....

. I guess solid defense and physical play makes Lebron play like Penny Hardaway....

 

[foobar75]

This is a gift that keeps on giving. We have had two of biggest caste myths implode and melt down right in front of our eyes in the last month. First it was Tiger, and now LeBron. And all of this in a year which is been pretty good for white friendly teams and athletes so far!

Lebron obviously got caught up in his own hype and now let's see what excuses his worshippers at ESPN and elsewhere will come up with for this pathetic performance in games 5 & 6 in the ECF.The good news is, wherever he goes, he'll start over again, so no championships for him in the near future.

As for j41181's point about the next decade, I fear this as well. Some of the great white stars (Gasol, Dirk, Manu, et al) are in their primes or nearing the end of their careers. I think by 2013-2014, things are going to start looking terrible, unless a bunch of 16-17 year old European kids somewhere are starting to come thru the ranks now and will fill the void in 3-4 years. God knows there's virtually zero hope for an American born white superstar to enter the picture anytime soon.Edited by: foobar75

 

[pistol pete]

Guys Lebron was obviously distracted he was trying to put in a challenge to Wladimir Klitschko for his title and trying to captain team USA for the World Cup. Superman can only do so many things at once....

. I guess solid defense
and physical play makes Lebron play like Penny Hardaway....

Penny? Ouch! Lebron reminds me of Grant Hill and Charles Barkley. Superstars
but not alpha guys. One poster on espn.com said that everyone is saying that Lebron needs his Scottie Pippen, but maybe Lebron is Pippen and he needs a Jordan. Bill Simmons wrote a great article about Lebron yesterday and compared him to Karl Malone. Ouch!

Lebron is not really young; he has already played 7 years and it is the mileage that counts. Without a jump shot and no post game Lebron James could rapidly deteriorate. He could be the next Shawn Kemp too. It appears that Lebron needs another superstar to play with along with another legit all-star. But hell, Robert Horry always played with a superstar and another legit all-star so does that mean that Lebron is Robert Horry?

 

[Fightingtowin]

Lebron is Pippen on steroids. A hyper talented player who lacks the killer instinct of Bird, Jordon, Kobe, Isiah, etc. He also folds under pressure. Teams like the Spurs and 04 Pistons didn't have that borderline crazy need to win like Bird or MJ, but they almost always came through in the clutch. They just didn't get phased by the lights. The Princess clearly does. He looked like a scared little puppy the last two games.

That being said, you give him Gasol, Shaq in his prime or any other legitimate star and he's winning a title. Same with Dirk. It's not easy to win when your 2nd best players are guys like Mo Williams, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Larry Hughes, a 37 year old Jason Kidd and the like.

I almost hope he goes to NY, because he's in for a rude awakening. They're not going to love him unconditionally like Cleveland. His first bad game they'll start booing him: "I paid season tickets for this overpriced a-hole? Booooooo!!! Go back to Akron!"

He's turning into the A-Rod of the NBA. Edited by: Fightingtowin

 

[pistol pete]

Lebron is Pippen on steroids. A hyper talented player who lacks the killer instinct of Bird, Jordon, Kobe, Isiah, etc. He also folds under pressure. Teams like the Spurs and 04 Pistons didn't have that borderline crazy need to win like Bird or MJ, but they almost always came through in the clutch. They just didn't get phased by the lights. The Princess clearly does. He looked like a scared little puppy the last two games.

That being said, you give him Gasol, Shaq in his prime or any other legitimate star and he's winning a title. Same with Dirk. It's not easy to win when your 2nd best players are guys like Mo Williams, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Larry Hughes, a 37 year old Jason Kidd and the like.

I almost hope he goes to NY, because he's in for a rude awakening. They're not going to love him unconditionally like Cleveland. His first bad game they'll start booing him: "I paid season tickets for this overpriced a-hole? Booooooo!!! Go back to Akron!"

He's turning into the A-Rod of the NBA.

Great analysis! Well if you remember even a Pippen-led LOADED Y2K Blazers team couldn't win the championship. And that team had Rasheed Wallace and Sabonis. Lebron may never win anything. He needs a great big man, a very good point guard with good shooters and defenders/rebounders to complement. But anybody can win with that! Now Lebron is Vince Carter. lol. It would be funny if Vince wins before Lebron does. lol

Sounds strange but if Lebron needs a Dwight Howard (superstar big man), Jameer Nelson (very good point guard) and shooters (Rashard Lewis, Reddick, Ryan Anderson, and J-Will once
a week) and defenders/rebounders (Pietrus, Gortat, Brandon Bass) then Lebron James is Vince Carter.

 

[FootballDad]

The mark of a true great NBA player, a championship player is the ability to make your teammates better. Jerry West had it, Magic had it, Bird had it. MJ had it (later in his career), Kobe has it. Lebron doesn't make any of his teammates better. It's him or nothing.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I disagree...Lebron is a good passer and his statistics and game play indicate this. He once in a while forces shots and is a bit turnover prone at times, but he is a hell of a player and amazing scorer, rebounder and defender for a SF.

He is kind of like Dirk in that he is a great player who doesn't seem to get better in the clutch. He doesn't get any worse, but doesn't seem to get better in shinning moments and sometimes shies away from taking things on.

I'd like to see him come to the Knicks along with Bosh and for the Knicks to trade multiple draft picks and send cash for the rights to Rubio. The Knicks could then have a starting lineup of:

PG: Ricky Rubio (or Sergio Rodriguez or Tony Douglas if they can't get Rubio)
SG: Danilo Gallinari
SF: Lebron James
PF: Chris Bosh
C: David Lee

This could be a majority white starting lineup championship team on paper!

 

[Deadlift]

Chris Bosh is a poor defensive player. I consider him to be way overrated. Just another "annointed" brutha...

 

[Don Wassall]

A question for you guys watching the NBA playoffs -- how would you rate the crowd excitement during the games? I love watching the Stanley Cup playoffs and the crowd enthusiasm is always tremendous in every city. When the Canadiens beat the Penguins in Game 7 on the road

their home arena in Montreal was filled with over 20,000 fans watching on big screens. When the Flyers finished off the Bruins in Boston tonight to win Game 7 after trailing 0-3 in games (and 0-3 during Game 7 before rallying to an historic win), likewise their home arena in Philly was packed with frenzied fans. In Pittsburgh the past few years, thousands of fans who couldn't get tickets have gathered outside the Mellon Arena during home playoff games and watched the Penguins on big screens in a festival atmosphere.

Is there anything comparable to this level of excitement and passion going on in NBA cities? Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[white lightning]

I would have to say no. I was sad to see the Coyotes lose to the Red Wings in 7 Games. The White Out was crazy in AZ. The Suns are popular, but it's hard to compete with die hard hockey fans.

That being said, I want Nash to win that elusive ring. It is his turn. He has worked so hard and for so long. The Suns will win it all!

 

[Deadlift]

Don,

I agree with white lightning. The crowds have mostly been zombies, and these series' have mostly been lopsided so far, with Orlando/Phoenix/LA sweeping their opponents.

However, there should be a more frenzied atmosphere in the Lakers/Suns Conference Finals that's coming up. Overall, though, the "WGAs" haven't exactly dazzled the world... They get more lazy by the year.

 

[j41181]

I don't watch NHL games as much as you guys, but I see your points (Don and white lightning).

NHL fan reaction is off the charts which kinda makes a game more exciting to watch. NBA fan reaction has been quite weak, and seems to be getting weaker each passing season. Teams like San Antonio, Utah, Phoenix, Dallas, Oklahoma, and even Golden State enjoy consistent sellout and fan appreciation. Typical Laker & Celtic fans seem quite dull and snobbish compared to their 80's predecessors. Magic fans seems okay, but I don't see much enthusiasm from them either. As for the teams that missed the playoff, those teams often play with largely empty stadiums. I do enjoy seeing NHL games once in a while, and I'm often awed by the frenzy crowed reactions in most games.Edited by: j41181

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Well, a goal is a much bigger deal than a basket unless the basket is a game winning shot. Goals are much rarer. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of seeing your team score (at the game) to tie it up or to win in sudden death overtime and high fiving your fellow fans!

 

[Don Wassall]

Well, a goal is a much bigger deal than a basket unless the basket is a game winning shot. Goals are much rarer. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of seeing your team score (at the game) to tie it up or to win in sudden death overtime and high fiving your fellow fans!

A goal by the home team is always a great moment in a playoff game, but crowds are often raucous for much or all of the game. The Canadiens home crowd for the second half of Game 6 against Pittsburgh was unbelievably loud non-stop, even singing some song in French unprompted by the PA system several times. Hockey is a great back and forth action sport that doesn't need goals to get a crowd going.

 

[Matra1]

Basketball has so much scoring it just becomes boring. After two weeks of watching hockey just about every night I tried to watch the Cavs-Celtics game on Thursday but I ended up changing the channel. It was just unwatchable. The constant references to Lebron James made me forget I was watching a team sport.

That being said, I want Nash to win that elusive ring. It is his turn. He has worked so hard and for so long.

Nash opposes Arizona's very moderate new law on immigration. He says it is racist. Nash was born in South Africa. Perhaps he should consider moving back there to enjoy that country's diversity. I hope he never gets that elusive ring.

 

[white lightning]

Just to remind you guys about the Suns. I think they reckognize that they screwed up. They will not wear those jerseys the rest of the playoffs or in the finals if they make it. They also will not make any more commentary about it. Finally they have some common sense. They angered so many fans in AZ and around the US.

Now they can get onto beating the LaLa Boys in 6 games. Edited by: white lightning

 

[j41181]

Celtics beat Magic, 92-88.

Stan Van Gundy must've forgotten Redick's defensive prowess against Ray Allen last year. Redick needs to be inserted to the starting line-up to match-up against Allen.

I'm seeing a pattern in these playoffs, SMALL SG's like Jameer Nelson, Jason Terry, and Mo Williams make unreliable teammates. Here's why...

- Too Small to play defense (against big guards like Rondo)
- Just shooters and unreliable passers
- virtually BALLHOGS

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Well, a goal is a much bigger deal than a basket unless the basket is a game winning shot. Goals are much rarer. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of seeing your team score (at the game) to tie it up or to win in sudden death overtime and high fiving your fellow fans!

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<div>A goal by the home team is always a great moment in a playoff game, but crowds are often raucous for much or all of the game.  The Canadiens home crowd for the second half of Game 6 against Pittsburgh was unbelievably loud non-stop, even singing some song in French unprompted by the PA system several times.  Hockey is a great back and forth action sport that doesn't need goals to get a crowd going.  </div>

The last NHL game I attended was actually to see the Devils, last playoffs at the Continental Airlines arena in Newark. They had a noise meter and other things to get the fans excited on the jumbo tron, yet even without the prompts, the fans broke out into chants or cheers numerous times even after stoppages. The fans weren't quite as intense as fans in Toronto or Montreal, but still- they were pretty pumped up.

I think hockey is my favourite sport to see live, but it is my third favourite to watch on t.v (after NFL football #1- and then March Madness #2). Hockey the NBA and the World Cup of soccer are a close third!

 

[Fightingtowin]

Celtics beat Magic, 92-88.

Stan Van Gundy must've forgotten Redick's defensive prowess against Ray Allen last year. Redick needs to be inserted to the starting line-up to match-up against Allen.

I'm seeing a pattern in these playoffs, SMALL SG's like Jameer Nelson, Jason Terry, and Mo Williams make unreliable teammates. Here's why...

- Too Small to play defense (against big guards like Rondo)
- Just shooters and unreliable passers
- virtually BALLHOGS

Good insight. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Agreed- good analysis J41181!

I remember JC just barely beat me last year to his researched post about Redick's +/-. JC compared Redick to Ray Allen which was probably even better than what I was working on, (comparing Redick to Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus). When I checked late this season- Redick was averaging 1.35 points a shot- which is very good for a SG. The guy is now a good defender and simply needs to shoot a little more offensively because it would only help his team with how steady a scorer he is. J.J has really improved to an above average passer as well.

 

[guest301]

Just to remind you guys about the Suns. I think they reckognize that they screwed up. They will not wear those jerseys the rest of the playoffs or in the finals if they make it. They also will not make any more commentary about it. Finally they have some common sense. They angered so many fans in AZ and around the US.

Now they can get onto beating the LaLa Boys in 6 games.

Yes I think they are through with all that and know they need all the fan support they can get to beat the Lakers. It makes no sense to root against the Suns anyway because all the other NBA teams probably have the same sentiments towards the Arizona immigration law.

 

[TwentyTwo]

I'm stoked about the Lakers-Suns series! Cannot believe the long-layoff...what a break! I just hope they allow them to play...the refs will want to call fouls if they even sneeze at Kobe!! W/o Gasol I wouldn't give the Fakers much of a chance. While I may not agree with Nash's liberal views... still got to enjoy him in control of his game at 36(Oldest to lead NBA assist!) The""respect"" he gets as a player from the black players/fans is bar none! David Robinson made a special trip to the locker to congratulate him...His eye should behealed better by now??
Will Robin Lopez finally be ready?? The Suns need him...the bench could be the difference...Dragic needs to continue to play with the confidence he displayed vs the Spurs!



Nice post J41181!