NBA PLAYOFFS!!!

[bigspenda73]

cavs fan here.

random: it seems like every time I watch the magic, whether it be game 1 last night ( ), the boston series, or other, it seems they are getting screwed out of a call.

even when they aren't getting screwed out of a call, you think they are because of sideshow stan.

they definitely caught the short end of the stick (I watched the replay of the game) last night, especially Mr. Howard. Foul #6 might have been one of the worst calls in the playoffs this year, and that's saying a lot. It's like the refs don't understand the context of the game sometimes, w/e, glad it didn't cost ORL, b/c now this should be a great series.

[bigspenda73]

i dislike the game of basketball but i have quickly become a huge lebron james fan. He's just good solid entertainment.

47.5 minutes of excitement!!!!

[speedcake]

Magic definitely showed they can win this, but I fully expect the Cavs to respond in game 2. Might be an epic series in the works and ya, James is just sick to watch. Two very good teams, pretty pumped.

[Lukie]

people keep saying this is going to be a good learning experience for the cavs. maybe, but i wish they wouldn't have had to LOSE A HOME GAME FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

much better would be 2 easy wins at home followed by a 30 point blowout loss in orlando, instead of a close loss in game 1.

[bigspenda73]

good ball denial on Kobe or Fisher took that shot way too early?

[melinda1978]

mogic are the more talented team in the league

[bode]

mogic are the more talented team in the league

yeah, the other team sucks

[a500lbgorilla]

the caverliers?

[Ragnar4]

God I hope the cavs dominate the magic for the next 4 games.

Lebron deserves the finals.

[Da GOAT]

mogic are the more talented team in the league

I think it was Ron Burgundgy that said ''Fuck you''

[bikes]

LETS GO JJ REDDICK. MAKE IT RAIN ON DEM HOES

[bigspenda73]

Lebron deserves the finals.

why?

I tried to like Lebron, I really did. I even watched the hour-long "dream season" thing on ESPN about LBJ and Kobe. Unfortunately even as great as people talk him up I still cannot bring myself to like the guy. Then, he turns down finishing at the rim down by 1 to kick the ball out to West. Once again, 5 years in the league, 1 game winner IIRC.

I think the Magic will have a huge letdown tonight and we'll go back to ORL 1-1; however, if they somehow manage to bring the same intensity in game 2 and eek another one out we could be on the verge of a colossal meltdown by CLE.

[bikes]

WHERES THE FUCKING TECH?

[Ragnar4]

Lebron deserves the finals.

why?

I tried to like Lebron, I really did. I even watched the hour-long "dream season" thing on ESPN about LBJ and Kobe. Unfortunately even as great as people talk him up I still cannot bring myself to like the guy. Then, he turns down finishing at the rim down by 1 to kick the ball out to West. Once again, 5 years in the league, 1 game winner IIRC.

I think the Magic will have a huge letdown tonight and we'll go back to ORL 1-1; however, if they somehow manage to bring the same intensity in game 2 and eek another one out we could be on the verge of a colossal meltdown by CLE.

1) He's played like a man Posessed for the entire season.

2) For being 25 years old, his pressers are amazing. Ever listen to the guy? My stats don't count, the W/L's do. I don't care whether I'm the MVP or not, I want a ring. Everyones trained to say that stuff, He's been saying it since he was 19, and he's sincere.

3) He accepts the blame for his mistakes, and owns them.

4) Unlike Koby, he's a model citizen in Cleveland. 1 DUI total since he's turned 21? He's also never raped anyone big plus in my book, yeah Koby I'm talking about you again.

Hell I didn't even like the Cavs until Lebron came to Cleveland. I'm still a die hard Nuggets fan, but he's the kind of sports hero you *like* to root for. I also enjoyed Cheering for Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, and Joe Montana when they weren't pounding 8 tons of shit out my team.

In fact I'll pretty much root for anyone who's really good at what they do, doesn't kick up a primadonna attitude, and helps out their community.

[bikes]

HEDO FUCKING TURKOGLU.


HELLS YEAH

[bikes]

And the cruel gods continue to stick the needle in me after being down 5 bi today.

[UG]

Lebron deserves the finals.

Then, he turns down finishing at the rim down by 1 to kick the ball out to West. Once again, 5 years in the league, 1 game winner IIRC.

make that two


glad I caught that live on TV, it was freaking awesome

[Lukie]

And the cruel gods continue to stick the needle in me after being down 5 bi today.

:P

wooooooohoooooooooooooooo!!!!!

that was excitement at its finest, seriously i've never seen a large group of people so down before then get so loud and so excited in literally an instant.

[bigspenda73]

hah Cavs fans can thank me for reverse-jinxing Lebron

SVG said they defended it wrong, I disagree, having LBJ take a fadeaway 25-footer with a hand in his face is probably a better result EV wise than West or Williams getting an open look.

[Ragnar4]

Lol I'm fine with the reverse jinx,

but WTF on everyone trying to call Lebron the "New 23"? When he has 5 championship rings, and is making a million dollars per basketball game, I'll be all like "Michael Jordan, wasn't he Lebron James' coach or something like that?"

[UG]

Michael Jordan has six rings.



I won't say I hate it, but I really dislike the NBA for the fact that you can tune into a game during the last six minutes (hell, maybe last two minutes) and see the game decided. Not just that, but it's a quick back-to-back sort of way, with timeouts/fouls/buckets all around. Usually the last two minutes take twenty minutes to play in actual time.....I don't like that.

I like baseball, defense vs. offense nine times (unless the home team wins) and every inning counts. I looooove baseball, but I know it's not for everybody, and don't watch it as often as the NFL...

I loooooove watching the NFL because it's offense vs. defense, one last showdown. Yeah the last two minutes might take 20 minutes but there is no change of possession. Offense vs. defense, man up.




I really hope to see a Cavs/Lakers final. Kobe vs. Lebron would be awesome. If one makes it, I might care for a bit......but if they both make it (casual fan here), I'll watch every game.


(EDIT: Closer to the Lebron vs. Kobe, Lakers up 2-1)

[wesrman]

Kobe.


That is all.

[bigspenda73]

2 good series in the first 12, luckily these conference finals are making up for it.

[baudib]

This doesn't look good for Cleveland at all. Orlando presents huge matchup problems for them...for anyone, really. I don't think the Cavs can win this series if they have Z chasing guys around on the perimeter and Mo Williams is shooting 32%.

Since they're going to give him more than his share of fouls, the only solution I see is for LeBron to take it hard to the hoop every possession and hope to get Turk and Howard in foul trouble early and often.

[UG]

LEBRON

[bigspenda73]

man where has Cleveland's bench gone?

[Deuce Blue]

man where has Cleveland's bench gone?

Same place the Laker bench has gone I guess. Never seen a team get so many dunks when the other team has 2 seven footers in the line-up. C'mon Lakers, pull your heads out of your ass and play some defense and rebound.

[Lukie]

COME ON LEBRON!!!!!!!

[will641]

COME ON LEBRICK!!!!!!!

fyp

[bigspenda73]

COME ON LEBRON!!!!!!!

no ty

[bigspenda73]

wowaweewa

[Lukie]

[bikes]

sickkkkkkkkk

[drmcboy]

I guess this is just a bad match up? I never watch the NBA before the playoffs but it's hard to understand how this is the best defensive team in the NBA. A lot of teams (not Cleveland obv) are going to make 45% of their threes if no one is in the zip code. Surely some other teams tried the pick and roll against them?

Also I'm not sure what was worse, Bron's horrid sequence of pounding the ball then taking awful threes in the last minute of the third quarter when they had a 2 for 1, or the "play" they ran for WALLY SZERBIAK in the fourth quarter. When you're hoping Wally Z can deliver in the conference finals you have galactic-ly mismanaged something. Assuming they can't rally I think this is Mike Brown's last coach of the year award.

[Lukie]

I guess this is just a bad match up? I never watch the NBA before the playoffs but it's hard to understand how this is the best defensive team in the NBA. A lot of teams (not Cleveland obv) are going to make 45% of their threes if no one is in the zip code. Surely some other teams tried the pick and roll against them?

Also I'm not sure what was worse, Bron's horrid sequence of pounding the ball then taking awful threes in the last minute of the third quarter when they had a 2 for 1, or the "play" they ran for WALLY SZERBIAK in the fourth quarter. When you're hoping Wally Z can deliver in the conference finals you have galactic-ly mismanaged something. Assuming they can't rally I think this is Mike Brown's last coach of the year award.

There were a lot of things I questioned.. for example Ben Wallace on Rashard Lewis at the end of the game even after the timeout.. Gibson in the lineup instead of Z at the start of overtime... just to name a couple.

Random aside that has little to do with actual basketball (I think?): why does everybody on ftr hate LeBron? There are so many legitimately not likable characters left in the playoffs.. from Kobe Bryant's off-court 'adventures' to Dwight Howard's elbows, Dahntay Jones's dirty ass plays.. again just to name a few.

I remember mcat calling him LeBitch Scowl or something.. why all the hate? I'm an ignorant, biased clevelander so obviously I like the guy, but what is it other than the fact that he's so good that makes people not like him?

[bigspenda73]

Z flat out cannot guard the pick n roll, he's so worthelss on D. However, Wallace/Varejao simply do not add any offense, so it's a tough give/take.

I hate Lebron because he acts like he's the shit when he's won nothing. This series is doing nothing to make me hate him less, as he's put up 4 straight bad 4th quarters (sans the miracle 3). Win something, then get the title "king". I know he didn't give himself the nickname but he seems to buy into his own hype. So do the refs, he gets every whistle with out fail and it's just ridiculous that some 24 yr. old with no rings and 1 MVP is getting mentioned in the same breath as Kobe/MJ/etc...

I know you'll hate every reason I just gave cuz you're a Cavs homer, I do the same thing when people hate on Manu, Timmy, or Bruce.

[drmcboy]

I love lebron, it's why the cavs piss me off some much because I want him in the finals and on a watchable team. I don't blame him for the bad threes, that's why you have a coach.


Do people really think Kobe raped that girl? I like him too, anyone on the redeem team who did not suck (see: Howard) will always have a place in my heart, even Coach K and no one outside carolina hates duke more than I do.

[GatorJH]

COME ON LEBRON!!!!!!!

no ty

this.

Go Magic (Orlando that is, not the HIV infested one)

[bode]

i love watching lebron play, and am a fan i guess because of that. Outside of this series, i dont really ever care if the cavs win though.

and lukie, lol if you think that Kobe raped that chic. what did she have, like 7 dudes seed in her when they did the rape kit?

[bigspenda73]

expert head coaching imo

[bikes]

Lets go Magic!

[Lukie]

lets go cavs!!!

too bad this lead won't carry over to game 6

i'll address everyone else's concerns at a later time (unless i forget or i don't want to)

[Lukie]

omg there goes howard swinging YET ANOTHER elbow, just missed wally's face

dude is so dirty it's funny

[bikes]

Oh snap.

[bigspenda73]

damn Lukie, this has got to feel pretty sick.

[ensign_lee]

Holy crap. How does a team go so jekyl and hyde so often a series DURING GAMES?!?!

That being said, 4 points isn't by any means insurmountable. Cavs can still win.

[bigspenda73]

well god damnit it's hard to hate on them when they win!

wtfover

[Lukie]

damn Lukie, this has got to feel pretty sick.

i was out and about and it seemed like everyone was down all game, almost like it was resigned that we'd lose game 6 anyway

then at the end of the 4th when it started heating up, the spirit came back and everyone was happy and wild and loud again (and probably drunk too)

but we're still going to lose game 6 though; hyachachach

[bigspenda73]

LET'S DO THIS MELO!!!!!!!

[drmcboy]

Lots of pressure on the magic now IMO, plus LeBron may still have a detroit game 5 in him. If the cavs win game 6 tho I think pressure will go back to them. plus the magic would I assume be the first team ever to win 2 road game 7s plus a road game 6?

go nuggee

[bigspenda73]

ya, pressure getting to them....

NAWT

[Lukie]

well, there's always next year

[bigspenda73]

Man I find myself really wanting to root for Orlando but I think they're going to have a helluva time closing out games against the Lakers. I'll always root for the underdog but I like Kobe a lot, so I'm a bit torn.

[bigspenda73]

[mcatdog]

God it's going to make me so happy to see all the LeBitch doll commercials during the Finals while the real LeBitch is fishing.

[bigspenda73]

[bigspenda73]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pppg9Cu2cs

[bigspenda73]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-63R0T6N1k

here's the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxdba...eature=related

[Jack Sawyer]

yeah, i thought this was problematic

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4224350

In an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Stern acknowledged he was not pleased that James, the league's reigning MVP, didn't meet with the media, or shake hands with the Orlando Magic, following the Game 6 loss Saturday night.

just a nh, gg woulda been enough LeBron

[bigspenda73]

yea Stern was upset, still didn't do anything about it, no fine, no reprimand. This is 2 straight years LBJ has done it. Hell, he gets away with everything else, cannot see how he wouldn't get away with this.

[baudib]

Other than Delonte West, absolutely no one on the Cavs did anything to help LeBron, including the Coach of the Year. The Cavs' big men were absolutely horrendous -- Wallace needs to retire -- and the second-best 3-point shooting team couldn't hit the ocean from the beach.

Cleveland is going to have to do something creative, because I don't think you can fire a CoY, and there aren't many great free agents this year. Maybe lure Larry Brown from Charlotte and then go get Rasheed?

I think the Magic have a good shot at knocking off the Lakers. They have the same matchup problems the Cavs do -- Bynum has been horrible and will likely have foul trouble every game. Lewis and Gasol each present the other with matchup problems, so that'll be interesting.

If Jameer were 100% I'd put large chunks of money on the Magic. As is, I think Lakers will take it in 7.

[Lukie]

yea Stern was upset, still didn't do anything about it, no fine, no reprimand. This is 2 straight years LBJ has done it. Hell, he gets away with everything else, cannot see how he wouldn't get away with this.

S T R E T C H

seriously, horrible sportsmanship by him, and even worse was his attempt to justify it.

but, is it really a big deal? fining someone for not shaking hands.. wtf? any other player and it would be a non-issue.

[Lukie]

Other than Delonte West, absolutely no one on the Cavs did anything to help LeBron, including the Coach of the Year. The Cavs' big men were absolutely horrendous -- Wallace needs to retire -- and the second-best 3-point shooting team couldn't hit the ocean from the beach.

Cleveland is going to have to do something creative, because I don't think you can fire a CoY, and there aren't many great free agents this year. Maybe lure Larry Brown from Charlotte and then go get Rasheed?

I think the Magic have a good shot at knocking off the Lakers. They have the same matchup problems the Cavs do -- Bynum has been horrible and will likely have foul trouble every game. Lewis and Gasol each present the other with matchup problems, so that'll be interesting.

If Jameer were 100% I'd put large chunks of money on the Magic. As is, I think Lakers will take it in 7.

pretty much spot on, except i disagree with your take on mike brown/larry brown. there were a few gaffes this series, but i wouldn't touch larry brown as my head coach with a 10 foot poll and i certainly wouldn't want to replace mike brown with larry brown.

and there's something about having the most dominant big man in the game and dishing out to 6'10 3 point shooters that hit everything that is somewhat of a problem defensively, especially when your big men are old and slow, save for one, and your perimeter defenders undersized.

hychachach

[bigspenda73]

yea Stern was upset, still didn't do anything about it, no fine, no reprimand. This is 2 straight years LBJ has done it. Hell, he gets away with everything else, cannot see how he wouldn't get away with this.

S T R E T C H

seriously, horrible sportsmanship by him, and even worse was his attempt to justify it.

but, is it really a big deal? fining someone for not shaking hands.. wtf? any other player and it would be a non-issue.

I actually didn't mind it at all until a couple players called him out about it and I realized he did it last year. At first I was like "wtf he just lost why would he stick around" when I guess staying and shaking hands and doing interviews is the norm in this situation.

[speedcake]

I know you'll hate every reason I just gave cuz you're a Cavs homer, I do the same thing when people hate on Manu, Timmy, or Bruce.

U talkin about the same ManU, Timmy and Bruce that I think you are talkin about?

[bigspenda73]

the only 3, people love to hate on them

[rllngn]

GO LAKERS, i can say this from being a fan before they got kobe and shack, the divac days and horray was the best out there, i say they take the majic in 6, although majic are a good team i think kobe has the prize in sight go L.A.

[nibbles]

I hope the Magic show up for future games. I sooooo don't want Kobe to get another ring.

[speedcake]

the only 3, people love to hate on them

werd

I tell u what though, we better see a different team on Saturday or things are going to get ugly down the stretch.



Anyway, Magic shooting went the way of the dodo tonight and I don't think that can be expected to happen again. Orland now must respond, should be a good game 2.

[bigspenda73]

Lee god miss the chippy no effing way

[speedcake]

sigh


Orlando is going to win games in this series, they have 3 straight at home and it's far from over. But do or die pretty much from this point on.

[bigspenda73]

sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo how much talk will be given to the blown goaltending call on the alley-oop?

[Lukie]

sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo how much talk will be given to the blown goaltending call on the alley-oop?

the lakers are getting just about every call this series, it's funny

of course the magic would probably make the same argument in the boston series. and the cleveland series.

so i watched pretty much every playoff game on tv through the first 3 series.... but i'm having a hard time watching the finals. bitterness or something.

[bigspenda73]

it does seem somewhat slanted, also, as well as SVG seemed to coach in the ECF he seems lost (rotations-wise) in this series.

Either way if Lee finishes off the alley-oop we have a sick good series, but with the 2-3-2 format the road team really has to win one of the first two games, b/c winning 3 in a row is so tough, no matter how big their home court advantage is.

[swiggidy]

I decided whale wars was more interesting than game 2, even as it was going into over time. (please don't hate me spenda).

I hope LA sweeps now that they're up 2-0. Fuck Kobe.