NBA '08 Playoff Thread

It's very clear that Piotr's allegiance to the Lakers is shining through here. There's nothing wrong with wanting your team to win, but don't take anything away here from the Celtics. It's a futile exercise to try and judge whether a player is a "true Celtic" or a "true Laker." I mean, would a Laker championship have been weakened because Pau was acquired in February? Garnett and Allen are mercenaries? Come on, dude. After tonight, both Garnett and Allen will be best remembered as Celtics and not as members of the Timberwolves, Bucks or Sonics.

 

Except for the fact that both had already won titles at previous stops.

 

Cassell had earlier in his career, Brown hadn't.

 

I stand corrected - I could have sworn he was still on the Heat a few years ago when they won it.

Even at that -- P.J. Brown, given that this is his fifth or sixth team, is not a mercenary in search of a ring -- he is a veteran player with a very marketable skill set -- a big man who is a good defender and rebounder -- that, because of his veteran status commands a decent salary and thus will always (a) be pushed out the door because he gets to expensive and (b) will always find work because veteran power forwards who can defend and rebound are a valuable and somewhat rare commodity.

If you remember he had basically retired and was courted by a number of teams -- including the Spurs and the Hornets -- both contenders --and signed with the Celtics at the All Star break.

I don't view that as a mercenary like a Karl Malone, who played for one team for 81,224,567 years then decided at the end of his career to try and go play with the Lakers and Shaq to get a ring.

 

The Celtics have definitely gotten a few more votes in the poll since they won.

I will say one thing, BB took a lot of shit from people before the series when he asked who wouldn't take Pierce, Garnett and Allen over the Lakers trio. The majority of people said they'd take the Lakers and took a few shots. After that series, I'd say there is little debate anymore. I can't get over how completely underwhelmed I was with Kobe this series.

 

Kobe had his chance to prove himself one of the top 10-12 players ever these last few weeks, and I think placing him in the Dr. J area of 20-25th greatest player now seems a bit more fitting.

 

The reason I see Malone as a mercenary -- he took a $17.7 million paycut and played for $1 million. It's Malone right to do that, of course, but he wouldn't have signed for only $1 million (or Payton with the Lakers for only $4.5 million) for just anyone. The only reason they took those drastic paycuts was to win the championship.

 

Name me 20 players better than Kobe.

 

I agree which is why I don't put PJ Brown in that category.

 

That had a lot to do with the Celtics' defense...at the half last night, I believe Dwayne Wade said the Celtics' had the best D that he has ever played against in his career thus far (and look at what they did to LeBron). The trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and James Posey basically shut down Kobe in a way that I didn't think was possible...their team defense is the biggest reason why they should be the preseason pick going into next season. But I do have to question Phil not playing Kobe in critical times in games even if he was struggling.

In fact, probably the most shocking thing to come out of this Finals is how much Doc Rivers outcoached Phil Jackson. I've criticized Rivers and his coaching on numerous occasions over the years, but he made all the right moves in this one...I even think his "wired" speeches and attitude toward his players was significantly better. And one thing I've liked about Rivers this year, that I found a little unusual...if Boston blew out a team by 30 points or so, yet played lackluster defense or got out of rhythym on offense, he would call them out in the postgame presser, which put some pressure on the second unit and backups. And they actually bought in to it eventually, diving for balls and running crisp sets late in meaningless games. Rivers always wanted a complete-game effort no matter who was in the game and finally, after 26 (often frusterating) games in the postseason, the Celtics played a complete game last night.

And Gasol's reputation really took a hit in my eyes (he's a complimentary player), while Odom's dissapearing acts had to be maddening for Lakers fans. Look at Game 4, when he was hands down the best player on the floor in the first half and nowhere to be found in the second. Bynum will help, and I think teaming him up with Gasol will really hide Pau's weaknesses a great deal, kind of like what Perk brings to Boston and how much more effective they were last night. But they need a few other pieces...a guy like James Posey would do wonders for LA.

 

I can see your point...Brown was better than anyone expected and without him, they likely don't win that Cleveland Game 7. I'm curious to see if he retires or stays around for a few more seasons, which he could definitely do effectively. Cassell on the other hand...it's time to call it a career.

 

Mercenaries jump on board a team that's already at or near the top. They don't get themselves traded to a 24-win team. If KG had been a mercenary, he would have tried to get himself dealt to an established contender. In no way are KG and Allen mercenaries.