2010 NBA Playoffs

[foobar75]

Here's my take on what's happening. In the East, the series is done. After watching Orlando's lack of effort and hustle in that game yesterday, I expect a Celtics sweep tomorrow to end Orlando's misery. JVG cannot coach, and Dwight Howard has been exposed for what he is: An athletic big man who can block shots and get rebounds, but has virtually no offensive game. Vince Carter has always been a fraud, while Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis are completely overrated. The glue that held that team together was Hedo, and letting him go was a huge mistake. Orlando will need to consider some serious changes for next year, starting with their idiot coach.

I agree that Johannesburg (Boston) appears to be the team to beat, but I think Orlando's implosion is making them look better that they really are. Still, they play solid defense, are physical, healthy, and appear to have their team chemistry peaking at the right time.

The only team with a legit shot to beat them is the Lakers. The longer the Western Finals goes on, the more it will help the Celtics. If the Suns somehow pull the upset (highly unlikely), they'll get swept by Boston, as they have no chance.

So, leaving the whole Los Suns garbage aside, I do not want the Celtics to win another title, therefore, here's hoping LA can win game 4 and close it out in 5 games.

 

[white lightning]

The Suns haven't even been knocked out of the playoffs yet and you are writing them off. I highly disagree that they would get swept by an aging Boston Celtics Team. I do agree that the Celtics will sweep the Magic but the Suns are not done yet. They can comeback in this series. They also can play with the Celtics. I think either the Lakers or the Suns match up well with Boston. The zone defense is the key. Lopez is starting to play better along with Amare. Just wait till the the threes start to fall.

 

[guest301]

Say what you want about Nash and his politics but the guy is the pound for pound toughest player in the NBA. We all saw what happened when his right eye got closed shut and he still came out with a heck of a game to close out the Spurs and yesterday he get his nose broken(it's official) and adjusts his nose back with his hands and calmly sinks 4 free throws in a win last night. The two toughest guys on the Suns are white, Nash and Robin Lopez who incidentally was a real force last night in the paint offensively and defensively. If the Suns win tommorrow night to even up the series then I think they have a decent shot at stealing a Game 5 or 7 on the road against the Lakers as long as the refs and the NBA don't do the usual screwjob to get the matchup they want, Celtics/Lakers.

 

[guest301]

edit..I still think the Lakers are the better team, I'm just saying the Suns are not out of it, stranger things have happened.

 

[pistol pete]

You start to question the legitimacy of an entire league where TWO teams have won HALF of the league's championships. It is like how Hulk Hogan had won 15 championship belts, Ric Flair around 30, and Jerry Lawler around 30. But if you like the Los Angeles Lakers and Hollywood Hogan, fine. But I will still root for Rowdy Roddy Piper and Steve Nash.

 

[white lightning]

I was glad to see the Magic stay alive even though their rotation order is stupid. Maybe they can come back home to Orlando and push this series to 6 games. Reddick played good.

It's time for the Suns to step up and play with passion. They need to just relax and let the game come to them. Their three point shooting in this series has been horrible. I think this is the game where they will come to life. I will predict that the Phoenix Suns win this game by a score of 118-104. Yes I predict a mini blowout.

 

[pt.guard]

Gasol is the 2nd best player on the Lakers and Steve Nash is a two time MVP of the league.....hardly token white guys....

 

[TwentyTwo]

After seeing (accident or not) Fisher's head break Nash's nose when the game was virtually over...I'm glad he got thatelbow fromRobin Lopez! Lopez does bring a toughness/intensity that'sbeen missing with the pastSuns teams; I like how he played Artest hard on that lay-up+ 20pts and some nice offensive moves...need more of that from him! I'm sure glad he was able to comeback in this series; Jarron Collins was not gonna get it done!

Nash is one tough dude! 17pts/15assist only 1 turnover! GO SUNS! The bench needs to step it up! Dragic-Farmar will be a key matchup!

Glad to see the Magic stay alive...Rashard and Vince have been taking turns doing disappearing acts; they miss Hedo more than they realize!....JJ Reddick has been more clutch!

 

[pistol pete]

Every championship team needs a guy like Reddick. He is like Paxon, Kerr, And Bruce Bowen. More size and can D up like Bruce Bowen but more of a pure shooter like Kerr.
I hope he goes to a team that can win.
If Lebron goes to Chicago, Reddick would be a PERFECT starting shooting guard there.
He could hit the clutch shots when Rose and Lebron are wilting under pressure.

 

[j41181]

Suns just won tonight 116-105!!!!

The Suns got 54 POINTS from their bench, that is one powerful bench. WHITE LIGHTNING must be in the zone for the moment with his predictions, they're practically spot on!

Phil Jackson admitted he's never seen zone defense played like that in the playoffs. I think the Suns have a great chance of scorching their way to the Finals. I would love to see Nash make it to the finals, which will REMOVE his name from players with the most playoff game without getting to the finals. Dragic keeps getting better and better, and if things go well for him, he's an All-Star caliber guard fro many years to come. The Lakers' bench is practically over-matched, and Gasol is getting exposed as to having no perimeter game. If Dirk was a Laker, he'd break down the zone defense with his superb perimeter game.

Nonetheless, congratulations to the Suns, and to white lightning, this is your night! This is fast becoming the best series in the playoffs, and it's anybody's ball-game. Let's now hope Orlando can win game 5.

 

[white lightning]

Well I'm home finally. What a game. What a night. I enjoyed the game and it went down like I thought it would. You can call me the Swami of Basketball! Lol. I will predict game 5 for a small fee. Call 1-800-PAY-CASH. Hehehe. Just teasing.

The Suns finally shot the ball like they have been doing most of the year. I said before the series that when the Suns hit their threes, they are deadly. Then when you run at them, they blow by you for dunks and layups. They are a very hard team to defend. It was about time Channing Frye woke up. If he did anything in game two, we win that game with out a doubt!

The Suns bench is far better than most teams in the nba. They also are very athletic and play solid defense. They actually outplayed the starters quite a bit tonight. Game five is crucial. I see it being a nail biter but the Suns will prevail.

Steve Nash just refuses to be denied. One of the greatest players that I have ever had the pleasure to watch. A true warrior with the courage of a lion. I will wait till thursday to give you a score but this series is over in 6 games! The Lakers are just lucky we couldn't hit our shots in the first few games. The Suns are primed and ready to make the NBA Finals.Edited by: white lightning

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Go Los Suns! Just kidding, (as foobar might say), if they bring out the Los Suns jerseys "theyz be deserve to LOS(E)...son!" I'm glad they wised up and hopefully the Suns steal game 5 in LA and finish things up back home in Phoenix. Nash is one tough mutthha. He gotz game. Hope the broken nose don't hurt him. Sorry about the ebonics guys lol.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[TwentyTwo]

Nice job white lightning! 115-106 to your 118-104!! I knew the bench could be the difference in my earlier post....Dragic with 8pts/8 assist was BIG! Frye had to do finally something! Yes Steve Nash is a warrior...and stinkin' Fisher raked his nose too...






Kobe is getting frustrated; Coach Phil really thought they would steal a game in the desert...

I just hope the lights of Hollywood don't influence the refs to favor the Fakerstoo much!

Hope the Magic can't stay alive! With Scalabrine now in street clothes; can they alter the Celtics logo and color of the leprechaun??

 

[Blue Devils]

Redick leads the Magic in scoring at the half with 11pts.

 

[white lightning]

I love it. The announcers are even giving him props. I hope he keeps it up in the 2nd half. If the Magic win tonight, this series will really begin to heat up.

 

[j41181]

Redick's playing solid despite getting 2 fouls. The Magic though had better get some points from Carter & Lewis, who are the goats of the team, and everyone knows it.

 

[white lightning]

Good observation j41181. Like the new avatar! That guy sure looks familiar. Don't give up on your boys so soon. Lol. Gasol and Kobe are going to play great tommorow. They are too talented not to bring their A Game. Anything can happen. I just have a gut feeling that it is the Suns Destiny to win it all. I'm talking winning a title. I just don't see anyone stopping this team. That being said, good luck to your Lakers tommorow. This is by far the key game.

Come on Magic. Finish out this game.

 

[j41181]

Redick ends the game with 14 points in a 113-92 shutout win. He also had a +18 whatever, making him the unsung hero of the game in only 22 minutes of play. The Celtics have suffered two concussion injuries (Davis and Daniels), and Perkins is 1 technical away from auto-suspension. The Celtics are in big trouble for, if they give up a 3-0 lead and lose, what better way than by an ALL-EBONIC team!

Just showing some real support for Nash, even though I'm really a Dirk-fan (casual, NOT die-hard). I've been following Gasol a lot too, and all 3 players are my favorite for this generation. I'm still hopeful Nash and Dirk can win a title like Gasol.

 

[white lightning]

Very classy of you my friend. I would change my avatar to Gasol to honor him and you but it's not coming off Lemaitre all year. LONG LIVE KING LEMAITRE! I'm not going to do anything to break the mojo of him going sub 10 and eventually being the fastest man in the world. Gasol is in my top 4 favorite players. I really like David Lee as well as the other guys you like.

JJ Redick had a great game. Cheap foul by Paul Pierce where he shoved him. It should have been a flagrant foul. We could see the Magic tie it up next game. The Celtics are on their heels.

I really enjoy reading your posts my friend. Your Basketball IQ is top notch. Thanks for showing Nash and the Suns some love. It would be sweet to see him get that ring that Stockton never earned. What a shame too as John Stockton was amazing. Just hoping the Nash "Rambler" can get it done tommorow.

I will make my prediction now. The Suns win by a score of 111-110 in LA tommorow night. Nash will scored 18 points and have 16 assists. Jason Richardson will score around 25 and Amare will put in 19 points or so. Dragic will continue to make a huge impact off the bench. LETS GO SUNS!

 

[guest301]

Big game this evening, if they can steal one in LA tonight then I think the Suns will close them out in Game 6. The key is tonight, I don't trust NBA officiating in a Game 7. The NBA wants Celtics/Lakers.

 

[TwentyTwo]

I honestly don't trust the refs tonight in Game #5! The Suns will have to play "lights-out"; virtually flawless to get a "W" tonight...

 

[white lightning]

As Al McCoy the Hall of Fame Announcer for the Suns says, "Heartbreak Hotel"! This is the 2nd time the Lakers won like that. They did the same thing to Utah. I'm very bummed out right now. Congrats to j41181. I hate to say it but our shooting let us down in the 4th quarter despite tying the game. We had chance after chance and the shots just would not go down. D. Fisher, Kobe and Gasol were huge. Off all people to hit the shot, Flippin Ron Artest. I can't stand that guy.

I will say one thing. This series is not over. The Suns are too tough to give up. They will scratch, claw, and fight there way to force a game seven. So sad for Nash. Edited by: white lightning

 

[j41181]

Man, that's gotta hurt!!

First, Gasol's winning putback vs. Oklahoma, now Artest's winning putback vs. Phoenix. As much as we'd like to blame the bias officiating, some teams are just so lucky (too lucky in fact). The Suns are still in it though, and so are the Magic.

Luck and destiny are two sides of the same coin.

 

[foobar75]

This was easily the best game of the 2010 playoffs so far. Phoenix has risen from the ashes (pardon the pun) to make a series out of it. The margin between winning and losing can be very thin. I felt that the officiating was very fair in this game. As for luck, I think sometimes you need it, no doubt. Of course, that 3 pointer by Ricardson to tie the game was also a lucky shot, so as Phil Jackson said, one good shot deserves another.

I guess I will stand by my original projection that the Lakers will win this series in 6. That was a crushing defeat for the Suns.

As for the East, I am so glad that I was completely wrong about my prediction of a Boston sweep. Glad to see that Orlando has bounced back and if they can somehow complete the miracle 0-3 comeback to win the series, against the Zimbabwe Celtics no less, it will be sweet justice.Edited by: foobar75

 

[white lightning]

I still believe in happy endings. I'm not giving up on the Magic yet. They just need to keep playing hard, hitting their shots and playing good defense. They have really stepped up their defensive pressure on the big three of Boston.

The Suns have had losses like this for years. They played in what is called the Greatest Game in NBA Finals History against the Celtics and the game went triple overtime back in 1976. The lost that series. It took Jordan passing the ball to a wide open John Paxson to hit a three at the buzzer to beat us in 1993 or that would have went to the 7th game. Now add tonight to this. There are too many other playoff memories as well but I will spare you guys that one. They have never won an NBA Title and only been to the Finals twice.

Still thinking positive vibes. This series is going back to LA. The Suns will win and they will win by 8-12 points in game 6. Not worried about jinxing them. They will get it done. Great series regardless of who your rooting for!