NBA Playoffs - 2009

[Neroon]

Normally I don't get into the playoffs at first, but there have been a few interesting developments this year.

- AWESOME second half last night between Chicago and Boston!! Allen and Gordon couldn't miss it seemed. As they said on ESPN this morning, though... Chicago needs to stop leaving themselves without a timeout at the end of the game. That could have been the difference last night,as well. Doesn't take away from Allen's studly comeback after completely disappearing the first game and a half.

- Boston allegedly will be without Kevin Garnett for the entire run. I'm not buying it, and others are suspicious as well. I suspect they will beat Chicago in 6-7 games without him anyhow, and he will be back for the conference finals at least.

- San Antonio is without Ginobli, and it showed in game one against Dallas. Of course in typical Mavs fashion, they gave the next game right back.

- Orlando - what the heck has happened? They stumbled badly into the playoffs and proceeded to lose game one to the Sixers?

- Cleveland looked very solid in game 1 against their former nemesis, the Pistons. If Garnett is really out for the playoffs, I don't see anybody knocking them off until they lose to the Lakers in the Finals.

- Portland/Houston is a heckuva matchup. THe Rockets winning and winning well without McGrady against a young and hungry Portland team that seems healthy. Either oen of these teams could give LA fits.

 

[Mallory]

Well, Houston is on their way. They swiped home court advantage from Portland Saturday night. The Blazers played the worst game I've seen them play in months. I hope they bring their real game tonight.

 

[RevDMV]

Yeah Mallory, that was a bad game from your team.

If they make it to the Lakers, it would be a fantastic series.

 

[tomalak301]

I was really enjoying the game between Chicago and Boston last night. I didn't think I'd be getting into the playoffs that much but there is some captivating stuff. Also, if it does come down to a Kobe V. LeBron final, I'll be very interested in that.

 

[Neroon]

And the news keeps getting worse for Boston: Leon Powe is out for the duration.

 

[SmoothieX]

^ I heard about that. He's not one of their starters, but it still hurts to lose anyone at this point. More minutes for Marbury I guess...

I liked Doc Rivers' comment about how he hoped Danny Ainge (recovering from a heart attack) didn't watch Game 2.

 

[Neroon]

^ I heard about that. He's not one of their starters, but it still hurts to lose anyone at this point. More minutes for Marbury I guess...

Powe gives them strength down low and on the board. Just the kind of team that gives the Cavs problems. Which is the main reason why I predict the Lakers will beat the Cavs in the Finals.

I liked Doc Rivers' comment about how he hoped Danny Ainge (recovering from a heart attack) didn't watch Game 2.

- I hadn't heard about that. Doc is right on, of course. That was a heckuva game, no matter who you're rooting for.

 

[K-Star]

- San Antonio is without Ginobli, and it showed in game one against Dallas. Of course in typical Mavs fashion, they gave the next game right back.

Wait, what happened to him? I don't typically pay attention to sports until playoffs happen (except for college football, where I'm rooting for Mizzou all the time!) and Manu's my favorite player on the Spurs!

 

[Neroon]

It's the same ankle problem that plagued him at the beginning of the season and caused him to miss games throughout. Link to article

 

[Neroon]

Well, Houston is on their way. They swiped home court advantage from Portland Saturday night. The Blazers played the worst game I've seen them play in months. I hope they bring their real game tonight.

Your Blazers looked pretty darned good last night, though. Roy had... 42? How in the world can someone that young be that incredibly good? I'm reading in several places how folks better take advantage of Portland right now, because of their youth. Once they get seasoned a bit more, with room in under the salary cap and Allen's deep pockets and the upcoming free-agent potential ... they could be on a serious, serious roll starting with next season.

 

[1001001]

GO LAKERS!!!

 

[SmoothieX]

At this point of the year, the only ball I'm following in the NBA are the ping pong balls for the draft lottery. As a Knick fan, there's not much else to root for at this point other than another 'frozen envelope' conspiracy.

 

[K-Star]

It's the same ankle problem that plagued him at the beginning of the season and caused him to miss games throughout. Link to article

Aww man! I hope he's better by next season...

 

[Xevious]

It's the same ankle problem that plagued him at the beginning of the season and caused him to miss games throughout. Link to article

Aww man! I hope he's better by next season...

It's actually his other ankle. The ankle he had surgery on during the off-season is fine, his other leg now has a stress fracture. He's just too reckless a player for his age. He's going to keep having health problems.

I say the Spurs still have a fair chance of making the WCF, but they can't beat the Lakers. There's no way.

 

[Mallory]

Your Blazers looked pretty darned good last night, though. Roy had... 42? How in the world can someone that young be that incredibly good?

Yep, they played hard last night and got the win. I'm still not optimistic about the series outcome, but at least these guys are getting some playoff experience. That'll be valuable in the seasons ahead.

I'm reading in several places how folks better take advantage of Portland right now, because of their youth. Once they get seasoned a bit more, with room in under the salary cap and Allen's deep pockets and the upcoming free-agent potential ... they could be on a serious, serious roll starting with next season.

I agree with them. Portland has some very good talent on the roster and cap space. Plus Martell Webster, the team's best three point shooter and normally a starting forward, returns next year after sitting this season out with a foot injury. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, I think the Blazers will start out next season the way they ended this past one.

 

[SmoothieX]

Why the hell are the Bulls wearing white shoes?!?!?!?!?

 

[Mallory]

Portland/Houston game three is tonight, beginning at 6:30 PDT and 8:30 CDT. 8:30 seems to be kind of late to be starting a game but I guess that's the price you have to pay to the big television dollars.

It would be nice to see the Blazers steal one in Houston and get the home court advantage back, but I'm not optimistic. Portland is something like 1-19 there over the past few years and I've read rumors that Houston's defense is going to key on Roy starting tonight.

 

[SmoothieX]

^ Finals games start a little after 9 here on the east coast.

 

[Mallory]

That's so I have time to get home after work to see them.

 

[empty]

I actually have loads to do, but playoff ball is captivating me. It seems really open for now, though anything but a LeBron-Kobe finals would be a disappointment.

What is up with New Orleans? I mean, good on Denver to get Chauncey Billups for AI, but NO isn't really that different from last year, where I thought they could have gone even further.

I like Dallas so far, and not just because I'm German like Nowitzki and hate the Spurs. Their D is awesome, wow, what 67 points?? For a supposedly serious contender?

Good on Cleveland for getting Detroit out of the way so quickly. I hope the Jazz will give the Lakers some more toughness, they play together beautifully but arrogantly as always.

Anyway ... LeBron must be MVP, and I can't wait to see what he does this year and in the seasons to come.

Ohh ... and also, soooo sorry for Dikembe Mutombo injuring himself and retiring That just sucks and I hope at least the Rockets will go out in style this year.