NBA Playoffs

[CamFu]

Haven't been able watch this entire season, but I've been really impressed with the Utah Jazz this year. Boozer, great player... ugly man. The team kind came out of no where. I'm watching the Raptors vs. Nets right now. Going for the Nets, I'm a Kid/Carter fan.

So the questions:
1. Who do you want to win? - Utah Jazz
2. Who do you think is really going to win? - Dallas Mavericks
3. Who do you want to blow it? - Miami Heat, I hate Shaq!

[Acebot44]

1. Who do I want to win?
Lakers of course. Die hard fan till the day I die. It's a shame that we had all these injuries (Odom, Walton, Odom, Kwame, Walton, Kwame) occur after such a great start :(
2. Who do I think will win?
Lakers of course....or the Mavericks ;)
3. Who do I want to blow it?
The Heat. I honestly was quite disappointed and surprised by the fact that Dirk and the crew lost last year.

[CamFu]

I'm not the #1 Lakers fan, but a huge fan of Kobe. (started enjoying the Lakers when Shaq finally left) Hoping that Kobe gets the MVP this year. Only player that can carry his team to the playoff almost by himself.

[Bond]

Not to put a damper on this thread, but does anyone else here simply despise the NBA?

[Acebot44]

I'm not a big fan of what it is in its current state because of (1) there being no interesting rivalries a la Lakers vs Celtics/Spurs/Kings or Knicks vs. Heat (2) the pansy players we have in the league these days that can't go a game without flopping or complaining about no calls and (3) the inconsistancy with which officials call games these days where either they call everything or nothing at all! Gah, so annoying!

I was wathing a bit of ESPN classic a few days ago and it looked so much more entertaining back then. I play tough, so my favorite players are those with the same mindset, but there just arent that many anymore.

College BBall was actually a lot more entertaining this year.

[CamFu]

I didn't get into basketball until the early 90's but even back then the "great" players where the biggest baby's when calls didn't go there why. Jordan, Malone, Barkley, etc...

It's always the guys that are trying to prove themselves in the NBA that will handle the hard fouls without the big reactions.

[Acebot44]

You got a great point there.

Cam, whose your favorite player currently and of all time if you dont mind me asking.

[CamFu]

Being a Utah Jazz fan, he was a part of the original Dream Team. And no it wasn't The Mailman... who couldn't deliver in the playoffs (I hate the Bulls). It was John Stockton.

Right now Kobe Bryant is one of the talented players out there.

And you?

[TheGame]

1. Who do you want to win? - Rockets
2. Who do you think is really going to win? - Too hard to call, but on the east I like the heat, and west the mavericks.
3. Who do you want to blow it? - I don't wish bad upon any team really. I just hope every team that faces the rockets blows it! Sorry, Utah Jazz. :) (By the way, Jazz vs Rockets bring back some childhood pain!)

I like the NBA more in its current state than I liked it back in the early 90's, but my views may be different since in 1990 I was 7 years old. I like the competition and unpredictability, and how there are a bunch of teams that have a reputation to hold onto even though they didn't nessicarily get rings before. There seems to be a LOT more players worth watching that bring something special to the table.

My favorite players to watch are Dwane Wade and Kobe Bryant. Bryant is amazing, though its funny how the NBA blacklisted him for trying to rat on Shaq and for the rape case. Announcers avoid comparing him to jordan and he can't get any really big endorsements anymore. XD But he still kicks ass. As for Wade, he's one of those players who role play most of the game, but when it comes down to the wire, or if his team is down, he becomes like a beast.

As for the NBA in general, I love it. I think the NBA playoffs are the best of any ending tournament. Its not cut throat at all, the best team always wins in the end. Its very little luck involved, not too many teams, but not too few teams at the same time... Season play doesn't mean too much to the playoffs, but means just enough to help momentum.

I've sat through one too many NCAA toureys and World series, and Superbowls where I was like "what the hell, THEY won?!" at the end. <.<

[Joeiss]

Being a huge basketball, I have absolutely thrived off the Raptors this season. Having to go through 5 seasons of losing made this season feel so damn good!

But the real season just started. Raps vs. Nets is a big series for Toronto. Me and some buddies are actually going to New Jersey to catch Friday's game, which will be a blast.

I want the Raptors to win.
The Suns will take it this year, unless the Raptors do.
And I want to see Golden State beat the Mavs, because GS has so much talent on their squad. B Diddy is the man. And Monta Ellis had a huge breakout season.

[Perfect Stu]

Obviously I'm cheering for the Raps...but I think the Suns take it this year.

[The Germanator]

At this point I'm rooting for the Nuggets. Since we have no Iverson in Philly anymore, might as well root for him in Denver.

[CamFu]

Had a good night last night... the Jazz beat Houston, and the Lakers finally played as a team. I know that both teams are down 2-1 in the series. But I really thought that my Jazz would get past the first round, as for the Lakers I am rooting for the underdog

[TheGame]

I feel bad me and Cam's teams have to face each other. ; ; Utah and Houston has almost been a rivalry in my personal book though, a rivalry where houston just loses over and over and over <.<

[manasecret]

I'm from Houston and have been following the Rockets since I was a wee lad when my older brother a huge fan got me interested in them. It's hard for me to follow them though while I've been living in New Orleans since they very rarely play the games on TV. I did go to the first Hornets game at the grand reopening of the Katrina'd New Orleans Arena against the Rockets early in the season---Rockets lost :(.

But that's not the case now! As long as they're in the playoffs I can see almost every game, yesssssssssssss

I've had the same problem with the Texans, can't watch their games so I can't get into them. I'm not real big on going to sports bars either with a bunch of loud-mouthed opinionated dic.... I mean fans of other teams. I don't follow the stats enough to be able to argue back!

The Astros, on the other hand, they show here on FSN for almost every game. So I've been watching almost every game. I'm hoping they can break their six-game losing streak today, which came on the tail end of a five-game winning streak which itself came after losing the first four games of the season in a row. Jeez being an Astros fan is like a heart-attack waiting to happen...

[Typhoid]

Woah, the playoffs are going on?

[TheGame]

I'm from Houston and have been following the Rockets since I was a wee lad when my older brother a huge fan got me interested in them. It's hard for me to follow them though while I've been living in New Orleans since they very rarely play the games on TV. I did go to the first Hornets game at the grand reopening of the Katrina'd New Orleans Arena against the Rockets early in the season---Rockets lost :(.

But that's not the case now! As long as they're in the playoffs I can see almost every game, yesssssssssssss

I've had the same problem with the Texans, can't watch their games so I can't get into them. I'm not real big on going to sports bars either with a bunch of loud-mouthed opinionated dic.... I mean fans of other teams. I don't follow the stats enough to be able to argue back!

The Astros, on the other hand, they show here on FSN for almost every game. So I've been watching almost every game. I'm hoping they can break their six-game losing streak today, which came on the tail end of a five-game winning streak which itself came after losing the first four games of the season in a row. Jeez being an Astros fan is like a heart-attack waiting to happen...

I've been a rockets fan for a long time too. xD But, before I was a rockets fan, I was a proud Laker hater. I'm from Cali, and the only thing worse than a Laker fan is a Raider fan!!

Anyways, when I was like super young I watched a Lakers game with my family, and Rockets/Hakeem were tearing them apart, and I kinda stayed a fan since then. >.>

[manasecret]

Anyways, when I was like super young I watched a Lakers game with my family, and Rockets/Hakeem were tearing them apart, and I kinda stayed a fan since then. >.>

Ah Hakeem the Dream. Looking back at watching him, the memories are so sweet. Good bit from the Wiki article:

Dream Shake

"the best footwork I’ve ever seen from a big man"

—Pete Newell

Offensively, Olajuwon established himself as a great finesse player, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. Executed with uncanny speed and power, they are still regarded as the pinnacle of "big man" footwork. Shaquille O'Neal stated: "Hakeem has five moves then four countermoves, that gives him 20 moves." The Dream Shake made Olajuwon near-unguardable for most of his career, because "big men" were too slow and guards too weak to stop him. Olajuwon himself traced the move back to the soccer playing days of his youth, "The Dream Shake was actually one of my soccer moves which I translated to basketball. It would accomplish one of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and make him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the opponent and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to shake off the opponent and giving him no chance to contest the shot."

The Dream Shake was extremely difficult to defend, much like the sky hook of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Dream Shake's closest modern equivalent comes from Kevin Garnett, whose moves have less variety and include some perimeter action.

One particularly standout Dream Shake came in the 1995 Western Conference playoff series against rival David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, who was voted the season MVP. With Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon crossed over from his right hand to his left, drove to the basket, and faked a layup. Robinson, who was an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and did not fall for the fake, remaining planted. However, Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and faked another layup. Robinson took the bait this time and jumped to block the shot. With Robinson caught in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move, scoring an easy basket.


Ahhhh yes here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4uXlRGAF0&NR=1

[TheGame]

Wow, bulls up 3-0 on the heat, guess my call was awful there. XD

Jazz and rockets 2-1, game 4 toinght. @_@

[CamFu]

Wow, bulls up 3-0 on the heat, guess my call was awful there. XD

Jazz and rockets 2-1, game 4 toinght. @_@

Jazz vs. Rockets all tied up 2-2. Downside, for me, is that they will end up going back to Houston. And the Jazz don't play that well on the road.

Right now I have mixed emotions with the Heat, I like the Heat. They were one of the first teams I followed. Mostly because Harold Minor. But I dislike Shaq. I'm tired of hearing how "great" he is.

[TheGame]

I haven't watched my rockets win a playoff series in ages. I'm kinda sad Utah came back @_@

[CamFu]

I haven't watched my rockets win a playoff series in ages. I'm kinda sad Utah came back @_@

Don't worry, Utah is heading back to Texas. I'm sure Utah will blow it there. Being a little Jazz fan, you kind of them to blow it.

[The Germanator]

Damn! How about Golden State? I think I've found my new team to root for.

[TheGame]

Damn! How about Golden State? I think I've found my new team to root for.

Its pretty amazing that they're up 3-1 on the Mavericks... I kinda hope they win too, so if Houston wins they can face them instead of the Mavs. ;P

If they get put out though, that'd mean my predictions suck ass. So, let me be the first to say Rockets won't win a championship. @_@b

[TheGame]

Wow Jazz and houston going to game 7 in round 1........ Next game should be interesting, both teams really need it, and its like a big step for both franchises. @_@

[CamFu]

Wow Jazz and houston going to game 7 in round 1........ Next game should be interesting, both teams really need it, and its like a big step for both franchises. @_@

Both teams need it, but if you look at this series, Home Team wins. Saturday is going to be a fun game to watch. So it's looking pretty good for Houston.

And where the crap did GSW come from! I swear, they make so many luck shots. Half Court draining, ugly lay ups. It's like watching the WNBA.

[TheGame]

Utah wins game 7. @_@ I suppose I can't be too upset, Game 7 in the first round is the furthest rockets have gotten in the playoffs in over 10 years >.>

[CamFu]

Game 7 Houston vs. Utah was intense! Jazz came out on top though. I'm shocked.

I just don't understand why the Rockets wouldn't foul in the closing seconds of the game. Rockets were only down by 3. Still an awesome game.

T Mac is pretty upset about this game.

[TheGame]

Yeah, that game was entertaining, especially in the 4th quarter. But rockets did blow it. :P Big props to Utah though, I hope they beat Golden state.

[manasecret]

.............................................................

[CamFu]

I'm in total shock right now, with Utah leading the series 2 - 1. After last nights game, the Jazz needs to get out of GS home court and get back to SLC.

The series I'm also watching is the Spurs vs. Suns.

[The Germanator]

Yeah, if Golden State could have kept it together in the first 2 games they could be up 3-0 pretty easily...Still has been extremely fun to watch.

[CamFu]

Jazz vs. Spurs & Cavs vs. Pistons

Pistons will take the Cavs, I'll say in 5 games.

As for my Jazz, I'm in shock that they have gotten this far and the way they are playing, Jazz will beat the Spurs in game 7. It's going to be sweet series.

So my prediction was way off at the start of all this, but finals will come down to the Jazz vs. Pistons. And Jordan won't be there to stop the Jazz this time.

[TheGame]

It'll be Jazz vs Cavs, then Lebron James can start getting called the next jordan just like Dwane Wade and Kobe Bryant!!

[CamFu]

It'll be Jazz vs Cavs, then Lebron James can start getting called the next jordan just like Dwane Wade and Kobe Bryant!!

And it has begun, ESPN is saying that if James does win this next round that he will be next MJ. Why do they always have to compare? How many people have been compared to MJ? I remember a certain "Baby Jordan" that even won two Slam Dunk Championships and less than a couple years he was out of the NBA. Harold Minor could have been Harold Minor, and without the pressure of that name, who knows he could still be around today.

[Typhoid]

Why do they always have to compare?


Because he's black and can't be the next Larry Bird.

[TheGame]

Because he's black and can't be the next Larry Bird.

rofl

But in all seriousness, I agree with CamFu... Mike was the greatest, but I think its unfair to the players to compare them to him at such a young age. I think the only person it's worked out for is Kobe. They also compared people like Grant Hill and Jerry stackhouse to him WAY too early. Its like a curse. @_@

When they were comparing wade to him last year I wanted to slap the announcers hard.

[CamFu]

The Jazz is driving me nuts. They can't get their game together long enough to even have the Spurs worry about them right now. Yeah, I know that the Jazz were down 2 games against the Rockets... but this is the Spurs we are talking about.

[The Germanator]

Yeah, the Spurs have that unbeatable look to them right now. I see them winning in 5 and then beating either Detroit or Cleveland in 5 or 6.

[CamFu]

Yeah, the Spurs have that unbeatable look to them right now. I see them winning in 5 and then beating either Detroit or Cleveland in 5 or 6.

I will not admit defeat! But the Spurs look really solid right now. I was kind of hoping the Suns won, better chance of the Jazz sweeping the series if they were playing the Suns.

[The Germanator]

Well, they certainly looked good last night. still think the spurs will win, but maybe the Jazz can prove me wrong.

[CamFu]

And the Jazz are done. I'm proud of them, at the beginning of the season nobody thought they would do anything. Well they did, so I'm looking forward to next season.

Is it bad that I really dislike Tony Parker, showed that guy like 4 times during the game.

[TheGame]

Game 5 of Pistons vs cavs was a real thriller. With more games like that we're gonna hear a lot more Jordan/Lebron comparisions. XD

[Null]

thats how we do it here in detroit, with our teams. (wings/pistons)
we enjoy game 5, over time losses in the Conf. finals. ;)




Heres to a game 5, extra innings loss for the tigers in the AL finals! :D

[TheGame]

lol Null. That'd be funny XD

So, looks like its Cavs and Spurs, Lebron is going to have some crazy pressure for this series. I kinda want to see him overcome it.. not because I want media calling him Mike, but because I can't stand the Spurs XD. They're like the most boring basketball team for me to watch personally =/ (At least out of the ones int he playoffs)

[Null]

well hes going to have a rough time. spurs areng going to let him walk and dance right through the middle like the pistons let him do each time.

i wouldn't be surprised if it spurs swept em.


(and hes no mike)

[CamFu]

That's it, I suck at calling who's going all the way (guess I have to save it for the NFL). I thought Dallas was going to go all the way, they got kicked out at the beginning. Thought the Jazz were going to beat the Spurs and the Pistons were going to beat the Cavs... yeah got everything wrong, so I'm not even going to guess who is going to win in the Finals.

But I do agree with TheGame on this, the Spurs are one the most boring teams to watch. They are old, but they do know how to play the game. They got it down to a science. But there is no real excitement behind them. I do like Ducan though.

[TheGame]

Lebron reminds me more of a young Magic Johnson than Jordan, but he does put up the points. I think at his age, there's not been a player in the NBA better or more developed than him.

[Null]

i wouldn't be surprised if it spurs swept em.



and less surprised, i could not be. ;)

[TheGame]

and less surprised, i could not be. ;)

Good call on that one lol.

[Seth]

Ya know what's ****ed? I've never watched lebron play a game. I usually only tune into rapta games and I've always managed to miss it when they play the cavs.
Got a question though, that commercial from back in the day when lebron is sinking a bunch of baskets from the other side of the court while the reporter is talking in the foreground,, was that real?