NBA '08 Playoff Thread

Oh, I agree. The Lakers are definitely behind the 8-ball. I do have faith that it's not IMPOSSIBLE for them to come back, though. But, they have to make some adjustments.

And Piotr, despite being down in the series, it still feels good long term knowing that what we need to succeed (a big, shot blocking center who can provide a defensive presence in the paint), we don't have to HOPE to get (i.e. draft or free agency). A healthy Bynum provides exactly what we need. Even if the Celts win the battle (and, I'm not waving the white flag just yet), I still feel pretty good about the war.

 

Pretty heart-breaking loss for you there, eh, Luke? What was Phil saying after the game?

 

Mock me all you want. You wish you were drawing my Laker salary, buddy.

 

The 2-3-2 format is absurd.

I've never understood why it's not 2-2-1-1-1.

 

It's largely because of the travel issue. According to the NBA, the media contingent has gotten so large that it would be a logistical nightmare for them to get back and forth across the country and in and out of hotels for the 1-1-1 part of the series.

 

It's the 2-3-2 format that is L.A.'s only redeeming hope here. If they can grab G3 somehow, someway, tides might start to turn. And as we all know, G4 and G5 are at Staples -- and it could VERY easily head back to Beantown with LA in charge.

The difference here is the intangible guys. Say what you want about officiating and Powe shooting all his free throws -- at least he's being active. Where's Farmar been? Where's Walton? Where's Sasha? Where's that Laker bench that I called so impressive about a week ago?
If they show back up again, we'll have a series -- if not, another Boston parade.

 

They say the bench plays better at home so maybe that's what the Bench Mob needs.

Leon Powe with 21? As a Bay Area guy, I'm very happy for him. He appeared to be one of the nicest guys while he played at Cal and I only wish him well.

 

Leon Powe = Grown Man

 

I literally have never heard a bad thing about Powe. Not saying he's a saint, but he seems like as good a guy as there is in the game from all reports. My biggest problem is that Rivers tends to bury him. When he plays, he produces. If he's not going to be active it's usually immediately apparent and then, sure, he doesn't bring much. But I'd get him on the floor early in every game and see what happens, because when he brings it he's a force.

I actually get offended when everyone was talking about how he was some bench scrub. Didn't the kid lead the Pac-10 in scoring and rebounding? Sorry, you don't do that if you can't play.

 

Where you been brother? Anyways, I think the 2-3-2 sucks. I think the visiting team has the advantage at first. If the Lakers stole one in Boston they'd be in the driver's seat. Now I actually think Boston is because if they just get one in LA they come home needing to win one game with two chances to do it.

If there's a game the Lakers are going to get in this series it has to be tonight. I'd be shocked if they lose tonight; in fact, I wouldn't be surprised by a comfortable win. If that happens G4 takes on huge importance. C's don't want to be 2-2 with another game in LA looming. At that point the 2-3-2 format goes back to favoring the team w/o homecourt.

 

Totally agree -- I loved it in '04 when Detroit was the road team, knowing that one win in LA meant they had a gigantic advantage.
But the sane person in me can't stand it and has no idea why in the hell that a) it's in existence at all or b) why the NBA figures it's a good idea to go 2-3-2 in the finals after three rounds of 2-2-1-1-1. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
But, it is what it is. The damned thing about it is that even if Boston wipes the floor with LA tonight, LA can STILL come back for the next TWO at home and make it a series again. Makes no sense.
But the Lakers will be and should be taking all they can get right now.
Look for Kobe to try even harder to get everyone else involved early and often tonight -- and that includes those bench guards. And if those guys get cooking, LA will be fine because Boston has no answer for them off the pine.
Kobe needs to share (and I'm not saying he's not, but just more), Gasol needs to be Gasol and the bench guards need to spell Fisher better or else he's going to have a stroke trying to deal with Rondo on both ends all night.

 

The 2-3-2 was Stern's idea. It'll never be changed until he's gone.
I give the Lakers about a 4 percent chance of winning, a 6 percent chance of seeing game seven, and about a 35 percent chance of not seeing Boston till next season.