NBA '08 Playoff Thread

You're right.

Bryant wasn't and isn't a liability in crunch time.

 

TP, I've read your posts. I know you're a sports fan so I also know you're aware that there's more to the game than just comparing stats. Anyone who feels Shaq was more clutch for the Lakers than Kobe is either just trying to be difficult, didn't watch the Lakers on a regular basis or is just clueless about the sport.

I'm thinkin you're either of the first two.

 

Detroit is the ultimate Dr. Jeckyl Mr. Hyde team and last year's conference finals were a classic example of that.

And it really comes to this -- if Rash-weed Wallace decides he wants to play power forward and he goes down on the block and plays like he can -- the Pistons can beat any team in the league. But his attitude seems to permeate the team and if he comes in pissed off or not really in the mood, it is easy to see because he's taking 25-foot fadeaways and going through the motions.

Rash-weed could have been one of the greatest power forwards to play the game, instead he is one of the biggest enigmas and he's a big reason for the Pistons roller coaster rides of the past few years.

 

Last year at this time, Kobe was villified for not taking that many shots in the 4th quarter of Game 7 against the Suns.

NOW this mantra that he finally trusts his teammates is being repeated as if he didn't have Smush Parker and Kwame Brown in the starting line up with him last year. As if those clowns were worthy of trusting.

Point blank, if you put good players around a good player and he's going to flourish.

 

In all fairness, Kobe never had anyone like a Pau Gasol to trust to take shots down the stretch. A year ago, yeah, he needed to take all the big shots. With Gasol there now, not so much.

 

Everything you said has been discussed at ridiculous length for the past four seasons ... To say that he's a big reason for the Pistons' roller coaster rides is to say that Babe Ruth was good at hitting home runs.
And to say that Detroit is a Jekyll and Hyde team is like saying Michael Jordan liked to dunk.

We know this.

 

I was simply making the point that if Detroit had showed up and decided they wanted to play last year in the conference finals they'd have beaten the Cavaliers, who might be, along with that Sixers team from like 2000 that lost to the Lakers, one of the two worst teams to ever appear in an NBA Finals.

 

Certainly can't argue with you there. When LeBron's off, the Cavs are barely a .500 basketball team -- and I wouldn't be too entirely shocked if they ended up under .500. But yeah, sorry to come off as rude there (not my intention), as a card carrying Pistons fanboi since birth (1983) I know all about the ridiculous attitude this team has had over the last six or seven seasons. I think this postseason (after the Game 3 in the Philly series) has been a BIT different with regard to that whole "switch flipping" garbage. That said, they haven't exactly played anyone worth a damn yet either. The only encouraging thing for me is that they won two games without Billups, who is usually the only glue that holds what otherwise could be a huge mess together.

On another topic, I just can't bring myself to see New Orleans getting San Antonio. I think the Spurs win somehow, someway tonight and gut out a Game 7 win. It's nothing against New Orleans, I think they've got a good thing going there, but I just can't see the Spurs melting down here. But I've been wrong about 10 million times before, so Spurs fanbois, don't take too much solace in my opinion.

 

Why doesn't Mike Brown utilize Z more? This guy killed the Celtics in the beginning of the series, yet had only 5 shot last night. He's a very good shooter and has the size to do some damage.

It's time for the Celtics to man up and win a road game. No more excuses. But I do worry about Ray Allen, who has been abysmal. And his defense has also gotten worse over the past few months. He appears tired and frusterated.

 

That shouldn't be surprising about Allen ... he's never had staying power. But like I said the other day, he doesn't even look like he cares. I mean when Pierce is struggling to find his shot at least he's being aggressive while doing it ... Allen looks to be in Supersonic land. And I think Boston will win this series, it just won't be in Game 6.

And in response to the Mike Brown question ... because he's an idiot.

 

no.

bryant needed shaq way more than shaq needed bryant.

 

I think it all comes back to Eric Snow.