NBA Playoffs Thread

I remember when I rooted against teams. I wasn't old enough to drive at the time, of course.

Who's your team?

They didn't win the last two titles.

 

Hate to state the obvious, but the Lakers are in absolute freefall. Bynum's "trust issues," the Artest clothesline, Phil Jackson physically assaulting Paul (sic) Gasol... how did they let it get like this?

 

Too many changes affected team chemistry. Plus the pressure of wanting to send out Jackson on a high note, their usual stupid laziness during the season . . . and mostly, the fact that the Mavericks have outplayed them completely. Weird what happens when a talented team gets a good coach.

 

I'm guessing Nick's team is the Pistons, so leave him alone, Piotr.

He has to watch Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva suck up the team's cap for the next three years.

 

stuck following online. Who said the legacy line? Fuck the legacy. I swear Kobe's the only guy who I hear people wanting to talk about legacy with every god damn playoff game, and usually when it's somehow supposed to be a knock on it. Magic went 5-4 in the Finals and completely fucked up an entire series in 1984. The 1990 series like you mentioned. Rockets in 1986. Swept by the Sixers. Was Bird's legacy damaged by the fact he didn't win anything his final six years?

And it's also a bit early to bury the Lakers for the following years, even if they don't get Howard. Gasol, Bynum, Kobe and Odom are still a formidable foursome to start out with. Find a point guard who's not actually decomposing and it will be a big improvement. People thought the Celtics would have a one or two-year run with their Big Three and they're still kicking, for now anyway.

They were up 8 tonight and Barnes and Blake - plus Odom - missed shots that would have put them up 10 or 11. I really can't remember the last 3 Barnes made. I think it was this calendar year.

Still, they pull one out Sunday...win back in LA...all that pressure on the Mavs in Game 6...see you here on May 15 for Game 7. Right?

And the Mavs do deserve a lot of credit, this isn't all about an LA collapse, which was more the case in 2004. Chandler makes them a different team, Dirk's an animal, great depth and playing with a ton of confidence - which will be shattered once they lost Game 6 at home...

 

I don't know any Mavs fans, but if I did, I would want to ask them how infuriating it must be to watch Dirk play so well in games like this, and then turn into such a giant gash in other big games. That left-handed hook at the end was a thing of beauty. Seeing the Mavs show some actual balls makes me feel like the end of the world is fast approaching.

Piotr makes a good point about Carlise, though.

 

Kind of weird Phil let that happen, given his experience with Shaq.

 

Both teams were mediocre all game but the Lakers went completely in the tank that fourth quarter. Reminded me of LBJ's inglorious playoff exit with the Cavs last year.

 

The problem, STG, is the cap. Didn't the Lakers waste their MLE on Blake?

 

Oh, and you think that's a bad thing giving it to Chicken Pox?

yeah I think he does have it. Maybe Farmar will return. Christ. Never thought I'd type those words.

Hey, they've got Artest back Sunday. I'm sure he won't do anything stupid in a desperate situation.

And I know it won't, but I hope tonight's game - two early fouls on Kobe, the 29-14 edge in free throws for the Mavs - puts an end to conspiracy theories involving "Stern" doing everything in his power to make sure the Lakers advance. If he's trying, it's about as successful as a Shannon Brown pull-up 3-pointer after 8 dribbles.

 

That's why, for me, the big question is if Bynum, cap filler and multiple No. 1s will be enough for Otis Smith.