NBA Discussion - The Stretch Run

[Alidar Jarok]

You guys can't bitch about losing Gasol when the Rockets have merely continued their streak without Yao. I think it's 12 with, 10 without. So, sorry - your excuse doesn't wash.

Lost amid streak talk is the fact that the Nuggets beat Seattle 168-116 yesterday - in regulation no less.

Damn. Even though I'm usually a supporter of good defense in basketball games, that must have been fun to watch. Speaking of the Nuggets, Wednesday marks the first time Allen Iverson has returned to Philadelphia since the trade. I'm curious to see what the Philly crowd's reaction will be.

 

[gblews]

You guys can't bitch about losing Gasol when the Rockets have merely continued their streak without Yao. I think it's 12 with, 10 without. So, sorry - your excuse doesn't wash.

Yeah? Lets see the Rocks continue their streak without Yao AND Mutumbo, AND whoever their best perimeter defender is. The Lakers have also lost Bynum and Treavor Ariza in addition to Gasol. Its not an excuse, in the case of the Lakers, its a reason.

 

[mrcoaster]

Yeah, but in losing Bynum, they went and picked up Gasol ("stole him" would be more accurate ). If Kobe's supposedly MVP material, let him carry the team on his back like McGrady has. I mean, we're not exactly saying the Rockets' supporting cast was anything to speak of, right? Mutombo? I mean, he was a hell of a player...10 years ago.

 

[gblews]

Yeah, but in losing Bynum, they went and picked up Gasol ("stole him" would be more accurate ). If Kobe's supposedly MVP material, let him carry the team on his back like McGrady has. I mean, we're not exactly saying the Rockets' supporting cast was anything to speak of, right? Mutombo? I mean, he was a hell of a player...10 years ago.

Except that McGrady really hasn't carried them anywhere of any real significance...yet.

Anyway, I'd say its about time since for all of his career, until lately, the only thing you could count on from Tracy was his not showing up when you need him most.

As much as the MVP award has been cheapened by the selections the last 3 seasons, I almost hope it does go to McGrady. It would be further proof that the NBA MVP award is one of the most ridiculous in all of pro sports.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Tonight marks Allen Iverson's return to Philadelphia for the first time since the trade. As I said earlier, I wonder how the Philly crowd's reaction will be. As controversial as he was, there's no doubt that AI did more for Philadelphia Basketball in the last 10 years than anyone. He continues to be one of my all-time favorite players because of what he can accomplish in a league dominated by people so much taller than he is.

I thought this was an interesting article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about tonight's game:

verson certainly raised the temperature around here.

He was a once-a-generation talent, a gritty, fearless gamer who threw his tiny body around among the NBA giants and carried an overachieving Sixers team to the NBA Finals.

Or:

Iverson was a selfish, team-wrecking coach-killer who relied on his natural skills and cheated himself, his teammates and his fans of what he could have accomplished if he'd worked harder and understood the value of "practice."

If you paid attention to the Sixers at all during Iverson's time here, you almost certainly think one of those statements is gospel truth and the other is completely irrational. That's how sharp the divide was here. The fact that there are elements of truth in both points of view helps explain why Iverson was such a fascinating character to watch from the moment he arrived from Georgetown to the day he was dealt to Denver.

link

Oh, just for fun:
Practice

 

[Daedalus12]

Oh, just for fun:
Practice

Playoffs or Practice

Philly loves Iverson and Iverson loves Philly. If the worse listeners on 610 WIP love him then it's likely that he'll get a big welcome back to Philly. Remember these are same guys who were at the draft and booing the selection of Donovan McNabb.

 

[Capt. Vulcan]

Yeah, but in losing Bynum, they went and picked up Gasol ("stole him" would be more accurate ). If Kobe's supposedly MVP material, let him carry the team on his back like McGrady has. I mean, we're not exactly saying the Rockets' supporting cast was anything to speak of, right? Mutombo? I mean, he was a hell of a player...10 years ago.

The last two seasons Kobe took a team that started Smush Parker and Kwame Brown to the playoffs, and was one game away from eliminating the suns in the first round. Since then, Smush Parker couldn't even find a bench spot on the worst team in the league, and Kwame Brown is just awful.

 

[gblews]

Clock finally struck midnight for the Rockets. They lose again tonight, to the Hornets. Their streak is nothing to be disrespected, but they were leading a charmed life there for a while with respect to scheduling, opponents, and opponent's health.

 

[tomalak301]

Hell of a game in LA tonight. Warriors built that 26 point lead, lose it, and still win because Stephen Jackson was clutch when he needed to be. I thought they were going to lose after the Lakers pulled back in front but wow what a game. That's great Western Conference Drama, and it's only part 1. Part 2 is at Oracle tomorrow evening. I'm not calling a victory, but if the Warriors win tomorrow, that sends a massive statement up and down the western conference. Damn this is going to be a fun few weeks.

 

[gblews]

I'm not calling a victory, but if the Warriors win tomorrow, that sends a massive statement up and down the western conference. Damn this is going to be a fun few weeks.

"Massive statement"? I think not, even if the Warriors had won tonight.

Keep in mind, the Lakers are still playing without Gasol, Bynum and Treavor Ariza, a forward who is fast enough to keep up with Monta Ellis, and did, the first time the teams met this year. All but Ariza are expected back before the playoffs begin (Chris Mihm too, BTW). A healthy Lakers team won't have much trouble with the Warriors.

As long as Don Nelson is the head coach, the Warriors are going nowhere of any real significance.

 

[tomalak301]

I'm not calling a victory, but if the Warriors win tomorrow, that sends a massive statement up and down the western conference. Damn this is going to be a fun few weeks.

"Massive statement"? I think not, even if the Warriors had won tonight.

Keep in mind, the Lakers are still playing without Gasol, Bynum and Treavor Ariza, a forward who is fast enough to keep up with Monta Ellis, and did, the first time the teams met this year. All but Ariza are expected back before the playoffs begin (Chris Mihm too, BTW). A healthy Lakers team won't have much trouble with the Warriors.

As long as Don Nelson is the head coach, the Warriors are going nowhere of any real significance.

I agreed with pretty much everything except for your last statement. There is no denying the Lakers are a steller team and with a full healthy roster, they will be the force to be reckoned with in the Playoffs. However, this is the Western Conference and anything can happen. If you look at the 8 teams, all 8, and Denver, are a force in the West. It's a tight race up and down and it's going to be really interesting how it plays out.

As for your last statement, that is either unfair, or to be expected from a laker fan. I don't want to blast Laker fans like most people do so I'm just sticking with the unfair comment. You don't give this team any credit. They showed this season that last year's playoffs were not a fluke and it was Nelson's Coaching that got them where they were. Just think how they would be with Montgomary still there. Also, you name all the players who are hurt, but who is the frontrunner for NBA MVP this year? Oh, that's right, Kobe Bryant. He should be upping his game with the injuries and the Warriors still went into Staples and won. We'll see what happens in the long run, but the Warriors are a good team and be prepared to be surprised if they do. I don't think they can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series, but I do think it will be fun.

As for tonight's game, I hope you enjoyed that gift. That was a blantent bad call and it made me have flashbacks of UCLA. Oh, and to prevent you calling me a Warrior apologist, it should have been a non-call. Fisher took down Ellis but there was a lot of tangled up. Also, Kobe was giving Davis a bear hug and that wasn't even called. I don't like it when Refs decide a game like this one which was exciting and physical from start to finish, like these refs did tonight.

 

[1001001]

There is so little separating the teams in the West. 3 teams have clinched playoff spots in the East, none in the West.

With 11 games to go, 5.5 separates the #1 from the #9. That's pretty amazing.

I'm just hoping that when Bynum and Gasol are back in the line-up, the Lakers will be ready for the playoffs. I wouldn't mind that #1 seed at all.

 

[gblews]

I'm
As long as Don Nelson is the head coach, the Warriors are going nowhere of any real significance.

As for your last statement, that is either unfair, or to be expected from a laker fan. I don't want to blast Laker fans like most people do so I'm just sticking with the unfair comment. You don't give this team any credit. They showed this season that last year's playoffs were not a fluke and it was Nelson's Coaching that got them where they were. Just think how they would be with Montgomary still there. Also, you name all the players who are hurt, but who is the frontrunner for NBA MVP this year? Oh, that's right, Kobe Bryant. He should be upping his game with the injuries and the Warriors still went into Staples and won. We'll see what happens in the long run, but the Warriors are a good team and be prepared to be surprised if they do. I don't think they can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series, but I do think it will be fun.

The Warriors should never have let Eric Musselman go.

Is your point that Gasol and Bynum aren't missed as long as we have Kobe? Well as great as he is, he still can't carry a team alone, though you might get a tough argument from some fans, I mean the Lakers despite the injuries still lead the Western Conference.

This Warriors team is a typical Don Nelson team -- all offense, and no defense, just like his former Warriors team and his former Mavs' teams. His teams are capable of the occasional showy upset, like Sunday or last year in the playoffs against Dallas, but when they come up against a balanced disciplined team, they wilt -- like all of Nelson's teams have in the past. The showy yet meaningless upsets tend to get some of the less demanding fans all lathered up only to have reality come crashing down as soon as the Warriors face crunch time in the playoffs.

Nelson has built his reputation on this crap. He is a clown of a coach who has never lead a team into the Finals and never will. Its much too easy to put a " gritty little group of overacheivers" on the floor and have folks such as yourself marvel at mediocrity, then forgive him for ultimately failing, because afterall, "no one expected them to get even this far".

Please.

As for tonight's game, I hope you enjoyed that gift. That was a blantent bad call and it made me have flashbacks of UCLA. Oh, and to prevent you calling me a Warrior apologist, it should have been a non-call. Fisher took down Ellis but there was a lot of tangled up. Also, Kobe was giving Davis a bear hug and that wasn't even called. I don't like it when Refs decide a game like this one which was exciting and physical from start to finish, like these refs did tonight.

LOSERS complain about officiating.

 

[tomalak301]

We're getting into the final week of the season and the Warriors are still in it. I'm glad they are, even though they looked bad in their Texas defeats. I even agree that yes with Nelson I don't think this team will get over the hurdle. They don't have a big guy even though I heard the two Lopez twins are declaring for the draft so maybe the warriors can pick up one of them. All that aside, it should be a fun week.

 

[1001001]

Nice game last night...

Sorry, but your Warriors still have a ways to go.

Luke Walton is the man!

 

[tomalak301]

Yes they do. It was a tough loss, and I don't expect playoffs now. The must win game and they came out of it looking extremely disappointing. Oh well. I will say it was a hell of a season and they will be back into it next year. Still, this was a playoff chase for the memory books.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Gah. I can't believe the Lakers blew a 30 point lead down to one point. Thankfully they never let NO get the lead and won. Yay.

 

[Borgminister]

Yes they do. It was a tough loss, and I don't expect playoffs now. The must win game and they came out of it looking extremely disappointing. Oh well. I will say it was a hell of a season and they will be back into it next year. Still, this was a playoff chase for the memory books.

Don't count Denver out--they'll find a way to sneak the Warriors in!

 

[Daedalus12]

Check this crazy scenario out.


Lakers drop last 2 games
Spurs beat Lakers and then drop last two games
Houston loses @ Denver and @ Utah, wins last game
Jazz win out
Hornets drop last two games.
Phoenix wins out.

That would put all 6 teams at 55-27!

 

[1001001]

That scenario is already out the window.

How about those Lakers today?!?!

The West is still wide open once the playoffs start, but that was a very nice win.