NBA Playoffs Thread

When it comes to the NBA and trades - nothing surprises me. Players tend to get what they want. If a team figures they are on the verge of losing a good player anyway - might as well restock the roster with Laker castoffs.

 

I think you underestimate how annoying J.J. Barea is. I'm not going to defend Bynum's elbow, but Barea clearly loves being a pest. And while I have no problem with a team in any sport running up the score, if you want to keep attacking the rim while you are up 30 in the fourth quarter then you'd better be prepared for something like that. Hell, just because I knew the overwhelming response would be the predictable, 'Pick on somebody your own size, thug' sentiment, a little part of me was hoping he broke a rib. Say what you will about Andrew Bynum -- and many of you have -- but that emphatically proved what his intensity all series suggested: He wanted to win more than anyone on the team not named Kobe Bryant. I've got more respect for him today than I do Lamar Odom or, to a lesser extent, Pau Gasol, who clearly were satisfied with two rings.

 

This is typical blame the victim stuff. When was the last time Barea took a cheap shot at someone when they were defenseless???

You don't want a guy to go down the lane when you're down 30? Don't get down 30, especially when you're the two-time defending champ.

Great, you're a "gamer", "tough guy", "competitor", when you take down a defenseless, helpless, guy 120 lbs. lighter than you? Really? That's your criteria? When was the last time Russell did that? Jordan? Bird? Never.

Glad I celebrate different winners than you.

 

You must not watch pro basketball if you think that my references to Barea as annoying qualifies as 'blame the victim stuff.' I don't think your '...Don't get down 30...' rationale and my 'expect to get your ass laid out if you don't start milking clock and popping jumpers' rationale are mutually exclusive, in fact, I encourage both. I don't think it's classless to keep pouring it on, but the center needs to send a message. How many times do your studio guys like Barkley say that the big man should knock a guy down if he's killing them inside. Bynum did that. If you think that there's something wrong with that, then I'd bet you'd get along with a co-worker of mine who thought it was silly for Lakers fans to be upset that their team lost because 'It's someone else's turn to win.' She doesn't follow professional sports. And judging the fact that you used Michael Jordan as a role model for class, it sure seems like you don't either.

(Insert smug closing remark here; preferably one that espouses a generic, 'I'm more enlightened than you because I think it's just a game and everyone should hug and shake afterwards' mentality.)

 

Carmelo Anthony disagrees with this assessment.

 

So you are using the "Barea showed them up" argument. I don't think driving in for a layup in a half-court set with 8 minutes left in the game should be construed as that. What are they supposed to do, jack up contested jump shots out of pity? Not shoot at all? And remember, Barea is a backup. He's not a starter. You expect back-ups to be in trying to make plays in a 30-point game.

No excuse for Bynum. Classic classless move.

I don't think the Lakers need a high-end free agent. I thought they took a step back with their role players. Fisher got too old. Their bench wasn't very good. They could probably make some changes without having to land a big name and become a contender again.

I think you need two stars and a couple of guys a step behind the stars. Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom...done (assuming all those guys are back). I think their problems were more with the other 8 either not being as good or maybe not the best fits for them.

 

You aren't sending a message when you're down by 30 in Game 4 of a 3-0 series.

If you're willing to do it and accept the consequences in Game 1, then fine.

 

Great comeback by the Grizzlies, after blowing an 18-point first-half lead. They trailed by 10 with just over 4 to go but tie it on a Conley 3 with three seconds. OT coming up. Fun series to watch.

 

OKC choking now

 

Now in Double OT. INCREDIBLE game.

 

Goddammit, what a great game.

 

White-out, yellow towels, Journey on the PA. Holy cliches, Batman.