Official 2007-2008 NBA Season Thread

[Baron Von Raschke]

Kurt Thomas to the Spurs. Nice move.

[The Spocker]

He's 6'11, has a low-post game, and can get up and down the court as well as any center in the league. He's only 25. He's not injured this year, he had cancer, and everything I've read indicates that they took care of it. Trading him would be a huge risk for Denver, especially since Camby probably only has a couple years left in the tank.

no one has interest in taking 30 mil over 3 years, or whatever he is due. especially when he hasn't even had one season worth 5 mil.

[erosewater]

Did anyone watch the Mavs-Hornets game? Was Kidd guarding CP3? He KILLED them tonight. They're going to lose in the first round again.

[notmyfriends]

The panic-in-response-to-the-Lakers-getting-a-gift trades are really working out well tonight.

[Baron Von Raschke]

CP3 is nasty. 9 steals tonight. West would have won the All Star game if he had started instead of AI.

[notmyfriends]

CP3 is nasty. 9 steals tonight. West would have won the All Star game if he had started instead of AI.

We are all just left to wonder what could have been...

[CalBear07]

BARON DAVIS

[ReserveRage]

BARON DAVIS

Impressive shot. I thought Allen guarded him pretty well. Poor Tony Allen's been on the wrong side of the ball on a couple of those last second shots/fouls. Tough loss for the Celtics as they still need to go through a few more grueling West coast games against a couple good teams.

[quentin cassidy]

CP3 is nasty. 9 steals tonight. West would have won the All Star game if he had started instead of AI.

CP3 played 27 minutes in the All-Star game, AI 21, so it didn't really matter who started. I think the problem at the end was having Dirk (13 pts, 4 rebs, 5-14 fg in 26 min) in for Melo (18 and 7, 8-17 in 22). ;)

[CaptainDingo]

Funny how even before the A-S game, I knew Melo would take the most shots out of anybody.

Guy doesn't lack for confidence.

How him and a ball hog like AI get along, we'll never know.

[The Spocker]

Did anyone watch the Mavs-Hornets game? Was Kidd guarding CP3? He KILLED them tonight. They're going to lose in the first round again.

to be fair, he killed Harris when they played earlier this season

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271201003

[quentin cassidy]

Bonzi Wells and Mike James to the Hornets, Bobby Jackson to the Rockets. It's not very common to have two teams who are both trying to win now make a deal.

[The Spocker]

that would be awesome if phoenix gets artest. Their offer is better than denver's, if they are unwilling to include kleiza.

phoenix has a trade exception, so they wouldn't have to match salaries. phoenix could just offer atlanta's first round pick for artest. (and let's face it, atlanta's pick is going to be much higher than denver's).

[quentin cassidy]

that would be awesome if phoenix gets artest. Their offer is better than denver's, if they are unwilling to include kleiza.

phoenix has a trade exception, so they wouldn't have to match salaries. phoenix could just offer atlanta's first round pick for artest. (and let's face it, atlanta's pick is going to be much higher than denver's).

what's phoenix's offer? i haven't seen it. assuming it doesn't include any of their top 6 (shaq, amare, hill, bell, nash, barbosa), they're the new favorites if they pull it off.

the latest denver rumors involve nene for jason williams (expiring contract), nene for magliore, nachbar, and armstrong (all expiriing contracts), or a draft pick for the disgruntled delonte west. strange for a potential 50-55 win team to be looking to trade for expiring contracts.

[The Spocker]

what's phoenix's offer? i haven't seen it. assuming it doesn't include any of their top 6 (shaq, amare, hill, bell, nash, barbosa), they're the new favorites if they pull it off.

they are considering offering atlanta's first round pick for artest. they have a trade exception. they haven't formally made the offer from what I'm hearing.

[Schnook]

Great trade for the Hornets if this goes through.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3256599
Sources have told ESPN.com that the Hornets and Houston Rockets were in final discussions Thursday on a multi-player deal that would send Mike James and Bonzi Wells to New Orleans for Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska and a second-round draft pick.

[quentin cassidy]

they are considering offering atlanta's first round pick for artest. they have a trade exception. they haven't formally made the offer from what I'm hearing.

despite their respective records, there's a possbility atlanta could make the playoffs and denver could have a lottery pick. if denver is also giving them any player they can keep on their roster, i'm not sure phoenix's offer is better.

[The Spocker]

despite their respective records, there's a possbility atlanta could make the playoffs and denver could have a lottery pick. if denver is also giving them any player they can keep on their roster, i'm not sure phoenix's offer is better.

correct, I am assuming denver is unwilling to throw in kleiza, otherwise this trade would have been completed already.

[BallaActuary]

BARON DAVIS

:party:

Huge win for Golden State especially with Captain Jack out. Monta Ellis is playing out of his mind right now and Pietrus decided to actually play to make himself look tradeable.


I'm so nervous they won't make it to the playoffs teetering on the 8th spot with the stacked west.

[BallaActuary]

It's going to be interesting in the finals. The west is going to beat each other up... I bet most of the series will go 6 or 7 games. On top of that, the west teams can't rest any injuries or take nights off because so few games separate seeds 1-10. So, Boston and Detroit (maybe Cleveland) should skate through the playoffs and one of them will be well rested up.

[quentin cassidy]

David Aldridge is reporting in his live blog that the Cavaliers, Bulls and Sonics agreed to a big three-way trade just before the deadline. The Cavaliers are expected to receive Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from the Bulls along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from the Sonics. The Bulls get Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden, and the Sonics get Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall and Adrian Griffin.

[Livan33]

David Aldridge is reporting in his live blog that the Cavaliers, Bulls and Sonics agreed to a big three-way trade just before the deadline. The Cavaliers are expected to receive Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from the Bulls along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from the Sonics. The Bulls get Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden, and the Sonics get Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall and Adrian Griffin.

I think this makes the Sonics the team to beat in the West.

[Livan33]

Fantasy question: Do you guys think Delonte will be played enough in Cleveland to warrant a pickup?

[MooBeay]

David Aldridge is reporting in his live blog that the Cavaliers, Bulls and Sonics agreed to a big three-way trade just before the deadline. The Cavaliers are expected to receive Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from the Bulls along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from the Sonics. The Bulls get Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden, and the Sonics get Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall and Adrian Griffin.

Cleveland GM must have got his hands on a flux capacitor!!!

[quentin cassidy]

szczerbiak and west are both going to love playing with lebron, and vice versa. wallace may only need to play 25 min/game. his contract sucks, but so did hughes'. good move for them.

[MooBeay]

szczerbiak and west are both going to love playing with lebron, and vice versa. wallace may only need to play 25 min/game. his contract sucks, but so did hughes'. good move for them.

those two couldn't start on a 14 win team and they are going to make Cleveland better? Big Ben is terrible now. Not sure what he brings to the table that Cleveland needed.

[Schnook]

Pistons acquire Juan Dixon from Toronto for Primoz Brezec and $$.

Eh. Don't see Dixon playing much, especially come playoff time - Lindsey Hunter will probably get his spot.

[kolya23]

those two couldn't start on a 14 win team and they are going to make Cleveland better? Big Ben is terrible now. Not sure what he brings to the table that Cleveland needed.

I'd rather have him than Larry Hughes. He might do better with the pressure off in Cleveland, whereas in Chicago he had the burden of being the $60m saviour to get them to the finals. He might keep sucking too... but we know Hughes sucks on the Cavs, so I'd rather take my chance that Ben will give me 80+% of his old "defensive player of the year" level. Szczerbiak and West are nice pickups too.

[Requiem]

Pistons acquire Juan Dixon from Toronto for Primoz Brezec and $$.

Eh. Don't see Dixon playing much, especially come playoff time - Lindsey Hunter will probably get his spot.
Brezec might get some playing time with the Raps. He'll compete with Rasho and Humphries.... Raps don't lose much.

[Requiem]

I'd rather have him than Larry Hughes. He might do better with the pressure off in Cleveland, whereas in Chicago he had the burden of being the $60m saviour to get them to the finals. He might keep sucking too... but we know Hughes sucks on the Cavs, so I'd rather take my chance that Ben will give me 80+% of his old "defensive player of the year" level. Szczerbiak and West are nice pickups too.
West and Szczerbiak could provide some consistant scoring for Lebron. That's what theyneed is consistant scoring. Hughes had the potential but he was too day and night

[quentin cassidy]

those two couldn't start on a 14 win team and they are going to make Cleveland better? Big Ben is terrible now. Not sure what he brings to the table that Cleveland needed.

i don't think kyle korver was starting in philly either, but has been a huge addition for the jazz. winning games is not just about assembling the most talent, but finding the types of players that fit in well together.

[erosewater]

i don't think kyle korver was starting in philly either, but has been a huge addition for the jazz. winning games is not just about assembling the most talent, but finding the types of players that fit in well together.

:iatp:

Sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right role players. CLE plays great defense already, so they can make up for Wally's shortcomings in that area, and he is a deadly shooter if he doesn't have to create his own shot. When LeBron drives and kicks he now has a guy that will consistently knock down those shots. Big Ben is not the same player he was, but he just gives them even more interior defense. Now they can throw Ben and Varejao at Garnett.

[MooBeay]

:iatp:

Sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right role players. CLE plays great defense already, so they can make up for Wally's shortcomings in that area, and he is a deadly shooter if he doesn't have to create his own shot. When LeBron drives and kicks he now has a guy that will consistently knock down those shots. Big Ben is not the same player he was, but he just gives them even more interior defense. Now they can throw Ben and Varejao at Garnett.

I still don't like it...like you said they already played great D why add Wallace who is slipping? To me they added two crunch time liabilities...Wally's inability to guard anyone, which will be Jesus or The Truth, and Big Ben's FT shooting.

I thought eventhough Hughes' scoring was inconsistent he played good D and would be a solid match up for Ray Allen.

[MooBeay]

i don't think kyle korver was starting in philly either, but has been a huge addition for the jazz. winning games is not just about assembling the most talent, but finding the types of players that fit in well together.

I can agree with that, but I don't see Wally being that guy. He didn't seem to fit in in Minny, Boston, Seattle, but maybe Cleveland works.

[jayhawk]

So what did Chicago get from this trade? The unloaded Ben for Gooden, and now have L Hughes in the mix at guard along with gordon, heinrich and sephalosha? Huges has more years on his contract than Ben...

Paxon really screwed up this team. I called it the day he signed Ben Wallace and traded Chandler for PJ Brown... Great move there. Also, how could he not top the offer for P Gasol? Certainly he could have traded T THomas and J Noah and draft pick(s) for Gasol? That is way more than they actually got.

[MooBeay]

So what did Chicago get from this trade? The unloaded Ben for Gooden, and now have L Hughes in the mix at guard along with gordon, heinrich and sephalosha? Huges has more years on his contract than Ben...

Paxon really screwed up this team. I called it the day he signed Ben Wallace and traded Chandler for PJ Brown... Great move there. Also, how could he not top the offer for P Gasol? Certainly he could have traded T THomas and J Noah and draft pick(s) for Gasol? That is way more than they actually got.

T Thomas, Noah and Draft picks don't add up to 16M.

[jayhawk]

T Thomas, Noah and Draft picks don't add up to 16M.

so do a sign and trade with PJ Brown...

[BallaActuary]

The Celtics are doing their best Patriots impression after going 16-0 vs. the west.

[Requiem]

Yao's out for the year


Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Rockets have scheduled a
press conference for Tuesday afternoon, in which they are expected to announce that center Yao Ming will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot.

The Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday that Yao, who has missed only one game this season, will sit out the remainder of the campaign, as well as the playoffs, with the injury. Yao was examined after practice on Monday, and met with team physician Dr. Tom Clanton about test results on the foot.

Yao is averaging 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season. He sat out a Rockets loss to Utah on January 27 with an upper-respiratory infection, but returned two days later. Houston has not lost since, winning 12 in a row, the last a 110-97 victory over the Bulls on Sunday.

This will be the third consecutive season marred by injury for the All-Star center. After playing 82, 82, and 80 games in his first three seasons in the league, Yao was limited to 57 games in the 2005-06 campaign after undergoing surgery on an infection in his left big toe, and then breaking a toe in his left big foot late in the season. Yao played in only 48 games last season, during which he suffered a small fracture in his right leg.

Houston is 36-20 entering Tuesday's game against Washington, good enough for fourth place in the Southwest Division and seventh in the Western Conference playoff race.

Source: TSN

[DW Simpson]

The Celtics are doing their best Patriots impression after going 16-0 vs. the west.

No team of Kevin "First Quarter" Garnett and Ray "The Game was Fixed!" Allen has enough heart to win a championship. I don't expect that they'll get out of the East, either.

[Schnook]

Yao's out for the year


Source: TSN

Nugget fans everywhere rejoice

[MooBeay]

No team of Kevin "First Quarter" Garnett and Ray "The Game was Fixed!" Allen has enough heart to win a championship. I don't expect that they'll get out of the East, either.

Somehow i am missing the KG reference.

[quentin cassidy]

Nugget fans everywhere rejoice

i don't know of any nuggets fans who would be 'rejoicing' about an 8th seed, if that's what you mean. relieved maybe, but certainly not too thrilled about it. we understand the conference is brutal and the loss of nene was big, but i think most were still hoping to be in the hunt for a top 4 seed, not battling for the right to play the #1 seed in the first round. they're still not that far behind utah, but given how well they're playing, denver's going to have to get hot in a hurry to have any hope of catching them.

[beck]

damn, why does injury always come to us rockets... and this one just came out of no where.... :swear:

[CaptainDingo]

i don't know of any nuggets fans who would be 'rejoicing' about an 8th seed, if that's what you mean. relieved maybe, but certainly not too thrilled about it. we understand the conference is brutal and the loss of nene was big, but i think most were still hoping to be in the hunt for a top 4 seed, not battling for the right to play the #1 seed in the first round. they're still not that far behind utah, but given how well they're playing, denver's going to have to get hot in a hurry to have any hope of catching them.

As close as the West is, do you really think playing the #1 seed would be all that bad? It seems whether you play NO, Phoenix, SA, Dallas, LAL or Utah, it's gonna be tough. The #1 seed might be the best matchup.

Not to mention Denver did pretty well as #8 back with Dikembe. I remember him laying on the ground, clutching the ball and yelling. Intense!

[MooBeay]

As close as the West is, do you really think playing the #1 seed would be all that bad? It seems whether you play NO, Phoenix, SA, Dallas, LAL or Utah, it's gonna be tough. The #1 seed might be the best matchup.

Not to mention Denver did pretty well as #8 back with Dikembe. I remember him laying on the ground, clutching the ball and yelling. Intense!

That was a 5 game series and not 7. If I had to choose I would want NO first. They seem like the team short on experience.

[The Spocker]

hollinger's analysis about why the rockets will still make the playoffs is pretty good. they have a cupcake schedule.

[quentin cassidy]

hollinger's analysis about why the rockets will still make the playoffs is pretty good. they have a cupcake schedule.

they're still rolling w/out yao, winning 4 more in a row to bring the count to 16. maybe the nuggets are really chasing the suns, who they beat pretty easily last night. shaq had some decent numbers, but he really looks like he's hurting more than he's helping out there right now. 5 turnovers from your center who only takes 8 shots is not good. iverson got to the basket pretty easily the whole game, and melo was a beast on the offensive glass.

[The Spocker]

the rockets only need to go 8-14 the rest of the way to hit the magic number(according to hollinger) of 48 wins.

[Requiem]

they're still rolling w/out yao, winning 4 more in a row to bring the count to 16. maybe the nuggets are really chasing the suns, who they beat pretty easily last night. shaq had some decent numbers, but he really looks like he's hurting more than he's helping out there right now. 5 turnovers from your center who only takes 8 shots is not good. iverson got to the basket pretty easily the whole game, and melo was a beast on the offensive glass.
Nash's assist number are down big time, also? Shaq is always just a step behind everyone else.

[kolya23]

So what did Chicago get from this trade? The unloaded Ben for Gooden, and now have L Hughes in the mix at guard along with gordon, heinrich and sephalosha? Huges has more years on his contract than Ben...

Paxon really screwed up this team. I called it the day he signed Ben Wallace and traded Chandler for PJ Brown... Great move there. Also, how could he not top the offer for P Gasol? Certainly he could have traded T THomas and J Noah and draft pick(s) for Gasol? That is way more than they actually got.

In a radio interview I heard a while ago (I forget who), they said that Chris Wallace (Memphis GM) had a deal set up with the Bulls similar to what you said. The owner of the Grizz intervened to block the deal, and then the owner proceeded to basically set up the deal with Lakers on his own. The owner really wanted Kwame's expiring $10m contract for financial reasons. I wish I could remember the details better, but basically the owner wanted to make a bad trade so that he could save some $.

[quentin cassidy]

the rockets only need to go 8-14 the rest of the way to hit the magic number(according to hollinger) of 48 wins.

denver is currently 9th (1 behind GS) and only needs to go 12-10 (slightly worse than their current 0.600 record) to reach 48 wins. my fear right now is that the magic number might be 50.

[Requiem]

denver is currently 9th (1 behind GS) and only needs to go 12-10 (slightly worse than their current 0.600 record) to reach 48 wins. my fear right now is that the magic number might be 50.
Only if they were in the East... only

[BallaActuary]

Usually if the Warriors score only 104 points they lose... but somehow they hold the Magic to 95. That's 26 straight games they've topped the 100 mark. Huge win tonight. They finished 3-1 on a road trip that had 4 games in 5 nights...

Houston wins their 18th in a row... still not sure how they've won 18 all season.

Glad to see Denver get embarrassed again... 2 games behind GS for the #8 spot.

It's crazy that only 5 games separate seeds 1-8 in the west.

[notmyfriends]

The Clippers are so bad. Just so bad.


Did anyone else watch this game?


Man they're bad.

[The Spocker]

I'm watching the lakers/warriors game. wow, that I hate stupid floppers like fisher. Completely ruined an exciting game

[BallaActuary]

i hate the lakers

[The Spocker]

i was hoping fisher tore his acl when he grabbed his knee.

[Triweasel]

that's going to be a good playoff series if it happens

[Schnook]

You know who whines a lot??
Mike Dantoni.

[quentin cassidy]

if bynum and gasol are both healthy, i think it would be tough for the warriors to match up with them. they couldn't match up with the jazz last year, and the lakers are even bigger. of course, no one knows right now if bynum is going to be anywhere near 100%, especially in the first round.

nuggets are back w/in a half-game of the warriors. all nine teams are still on pace for 50+ wins, with only 11-12 left to play. just insane.

[CaptainDingo]

Bynum and Gasol both healthy??

That's a big if.

[BallaActuary]

if bynum and gasol are both healthy, i think it would be tough for the warriors to match up with them. they couldn't match up with the jazz last year, and the lakers are even bigger. of course, no one knows right now if bynum is going to be anywhere near 100%, especially in the first round.

nuggets are back w/in a half-game of the warriors. all nine teams are still on pace for 50+ wins, with only 11-12 left to play. just insane.

I have no expectations of GS winning the title, but getting 5 or 6 playoff games on TV is a lot better than 0.

[BallaActuary]

GS @ Denver tomorrow and then Dallas @ GS on Sunday... two huge games. Then @ SA on 4/1 and @ Dal on 4/2

Let's see what my team is really made of.

[quentin cassidy]

7- denver 45-28
7- dallas 45-28
7- golden st 45-28


denver's in the best shape right now, owning the tiebreaker over both the mavs (denver won 2 of 3 head-to-head) and golden st (denver has won 2 of 3 so far with one left to play. but since they're currently tied overall and denver has a better conf. record, and all remaining games are against western conf. teams, if they finish the season tied, denver will still have a better conference record).

dallas has won 2 of 3 vs the warriors, and they play again tomorrow, but dallas has a better conference record than the warriors too, so dallas would win that tiebreaker even if golden st wins tomorrow.

[quentin cassidy]

7 - dallas 48-29 (sea, utah, @port, @sea, NO)
8- denver 46-31 (@LAC, @GS, @Utah, Hou, Mem)
8 - gsw 46-31 (Sac, Den, LAC, @Pho, Sea)

looks like the mavs are going to make it, and the Denver/GS game on thurs may decide the 8th seed. denver could have it pretty much locked up by now, but they lost both games of a back-to-back to the kings and sonics.

'melo was a beast with 85 points on 65% shooting, 22 boards, 6 steals, and 5 threes in the 2 games, but his effort went to waste. it seems like george karl doesn't even coach the game, he just gives out of the same minutes regardless of the situation. it's a critical game, and melo, who is doing whatever he wants against a team that doesn't have anyone who can guard him, is sitting on the bench for almost 5 minutes in the 4th quarter. denver trails 110-100 with 2:30 minutes left, and carmelo scores denver's last 15 points to finish w/ 47 points on only 24 shots, but it's not enough as the kings hit every FT and hold them off 118-115. denver has a chance to tie at the buzzer but karl draws up a play for JR smith, who was 2-10 on threes for the game, instead of melo, who had just hit 2 of them in the past 2 minutes.

against seattle, even though the sonics start 4 players who are at least 6'9, karl sticks with the smallest backcourt in the league (AI and anthony carter) for much of the game, and SG kevin durant ends up having his best game as a pro. (he's really learning how to score efficiently, and is going to be a stud in this league...he drillled a 26-footer to force OT and a 30-footer to force double OT). if denver makes the playoffs, i don't see how they're going to be able to defend SGs like kobe, tmac, ginobili, barbosa, with a pair of 6'1" guys playing together for 30 minutes a game.

[pingsta]

Do you see Denver, Dallas or GS winning a first round playoff series this year? If not, does it really matter who doesn't make the playoffs?

[The Spocker]

Do you see Denver, Dallas or GS winning a first round playoff series this year? If not, does it really matter who doesn't make the playoffs?

I see no reason dallas can't win a series this year.

[quentin cassidy]

Do you see Denver, Dallas or GS winning a first round playoff series this year? If not, does it really matter who doesn't make the playoffs?

even though they're likely to be the #1 seed, i don't think the hornets really scare anyone since they have no playoff experience. they'd certainly be the favorites against either the nuggets or warriors, but i don't think anyone would be really shocked by an upset.

it sounds like bynum may not even be ready for the beginning of the playoffs, so if the lakers end up as #2, that would give the mavs a really decent shot.

[Kris Kross]

Do you see Denver, Dallas or GS winning a first round playoff series this year? If not, does it really matter who doesn't make the playoffs?

huh? this is the first year that i can remember that people wouldn't be surprised by a 7 or 8 seed advancing.

[BallaActuary]

I see no reason dallas can't win a series this year.

They won't be playing Golden State, so they have a chance.

[CaptainDingo]

huh? this is the first year that i can remember that people wouldn't be surprised by a 7 or 8 seed advancing.

Yeah, even the #9 seed would have a chance, if that were... you know... possible.

Can't believe the Nuggets D. They have all the tie-breakers between the Mavs and Warriors, and they fold to the Kings and Sonics.

Thursday's game should be a fun one. Think 300 points could be scored?

[BallaActuary]

Denver sucks.

Go Warriors. :tup:

[The Spocker]

They won't be playing Golden State, so they have a chance.

dallas has pwned them this year.

[The Spocker]

i would love to see monta ellis redeem himself this year from last year's playoffs. I've seen a lot of warriors games lately and that guy is absolutely awesome.

[BallaActuary]

dallas has pwned them this year.

Doesn't make the greatest choke in sports history less funny.

[BallaActuary]

i would love to see monta ellis redeem himself this year from last year's playoffs. I've seen a lot of warriors games lately and that guy is absolutely awesome.

Yeah, he was absolutely cold last year in the postseason. Wouldn't have mattered anyways as GS matches up horribly with Utah. But his all around game right now is so impressive.

[dlwktb]

Doesn't make the greatest choke in sports history less funny.

Wait... why are we talking about the Patriots in here?

[BallaActuary]

Wait... why are we talking about the Patriots in here?

The Mavericks losing to the Warriors was more of a choke. They had 7 games to win the series. They are the only team in sports history to lose in the playoffs to a team with 25 or fewer wins.

[MooBeay]

The Mavericks losing to the Warriors was more of a choke. They had 7 games to win the series. They are the only team in sports history to lose in the playoffs to a team with 25 or fewer wins.

Golden State made the playoffs in the west with less than 25 wins?

I would say the Yankees blowing a 3-0 lead was worse.


Look for New Orleans to suffer a 1-8 upset this year also.

[The Spocker]

Doesn't make the greatest choke in sports history less funny.

I agree. i was being a square and referring to dallas playing GS this year :)

[BallaActuary]

Golden State made the playoffs in the west with less than 25 wins?

I would say the Yankees blowing a 3-0 lead was worse.


Look for New Orleans to suffer a 1-8 upset this year also.

25 fewer wins

[dlwktb]

Okay, this confuses me. I don't follow the NBA that closely but I was watching NBA Fast Break and they said this: If you win your division you automatically get at least a 4 seed, but that doesn't mean that you'll get home court advantage. So what's the point? The fact that you're a 4 seed and not a 5 seed doesn't change anything if you don't have home court. Is it really that common that a division winner would be a 6-8 seed? That's the only time I can see it making a difference. Am I missing something?

[The Spocker]

Okay, this confuses me. I don't follow the NBA that closely but I was watching NBA Fast Break and they said this: If you win your division you automatically get at least a 4 seed, but that doesn't mean that you'll get home court advantage. So what's the point? The fact that you're a 4 seed and not a 5 seed doesn't change anything if you don't have home court. Is it really that common that a division winner would be a 6-8 seed? That's the only time I can see it making a difference. Am I missing something?

look at the tanking at the end of last season

[dlwktb]

look at the tanking at the end of last season

:-? Like I said, I don't follow it too closely. Fill me in on the issue.

[The Spocker]

:-? Like I said, I don't follow it too closely. Fill me in on the issue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Playoffs#2006_NBA_Playoffs_controversy

[BallaActuary]

I'd say Dallas has the 7th seed locked up

Huge Denver @ Golden State game coming up. :popcorn: I'm glad it's in Oaklandas GS usually plays better at home.

[The Spocker]

:lol: I think this guy is gosujohn

vinny (ny): If chris paul were white, would he be the unanimous MVP?

David Thorpe: (12:17 PM ET ) You mean because so many white guys have been MVP's in the last 20 years?

[Kris Kross]

nash is a 2 time mvp despite having inferior individual and team (probably, based on seed) seasons than paul. if paul doesn't win it makes you wonder.

[MooBeay]

nash is a 2 time mvp despite having inferior individual and team (probably, based on seed) seasons than paul. if paul doesn't win it makes you wonder.

no it doesn't.

[yankeetripper]

I'd say Dallas has the 7th seed locked up

Huge Denver @ Golden State game coming up. :popcorn: I'm glad it's in Oaklandas GS usually plays better at home.

Must win for GS as Denver has the tie breaker IIRC.

Not encouraging they let Sacramento score a 132 last night. But at least the pulled out the W. :tup:

[dlwktb]

nash is a 2 time mvp despite having inferior individual and team (probably, based on seed) seasons than paul. if paul doesn't win it makes you wonder.

I think there's a little more competition this year than there was in the years Nash won.

[BallaActuary]

Must win for GS as Denver has the tie breaker IIRC.

Not encouraging they let Sacramento score a 132 last night. But at least the pulled out the W. :tup:


At least they didn't lose to them like Denver did. And Sac is not that bad of a team.

[Kris Kross]

I think there's a little more competition this year than there was in the years Nash won.

lebron, wade, kobe, and dirk all had farrrr better seasons than nash the second year he won. i think part of it was that nash had a better season than the year before and people figured if he deserved it in 05 he did in 06.

[quentin cassidy]

At least they didn't lose to them like Denver did. And Sac is not that bad of a team.

the kings beat the warriors a few weeks ago too. they suck!

Go Nuggets! :tup:

[BallaActuary]

the kings beat the warriors a few weeks ago too. they suck!

Go Nuggets! :tup:

They probably lost to them a few years ago too.

The Nuggets could have solidified their playoff position again Sac and Sea, but failed horribly. Those losses are worse than when GS lost to Sac because they needed to win.

[quentin cassidy]

They probably lost to them a few years ago too.

The Nuggets could have solidified their playoff position again Sac and Sea, but failed horribly. Those losses are worse than when GS lost to Sac because they needed to win.

If Denver wins tomorrow, they are most likely in. Therefore, they didn't need to beat Sac and Sea.

[CaptainDingo]

If Denver wins tomorrow, they are most likely in. Therefore, they didn't need to beat Sac and Sea.

But what if they don't win??

[BallaActuary]

But what will you say when they don't win??

IFYP

[CaptainDingo]

IFYP

Thanks Balla. That's actually what I meant, but I guess I didn't have the "balls".

[BallaActuary]

Thanks Balla. That's actually what I meant, but I guess I didn't have the "balls".

:lol: I hate Denver right now.

Can someone kindly post the over/under for the GS/Den game for me?

[yankeetripper]

:lol: I hate Denver right now.

Can someone kindly post the over/under for the GS/Den game for me?

GS is anywhere from 4.5 to 5.5 fav

Over under varies between 236.5 & 240 @ -110

[BallaActuary]

GS is anywhere from 4.5 to 5.5 fav

Over under varies between 236.5 & 240 @ -110

Thanks. :tup:

[quentin cassidy]

But what if they don't win??

Then they will most likely need to win all 3 of their remaining games to get in. If they win tonight, they probably only need 1 more win.

[BallaActuary]

Denver sucks.

Go Warriors! :tup:

[TallaActuary]

YEAH GO WARRIORS! WARRIORS ARE THE BEST!

Right Balla? Warriors are the best right???

YYYEAAAAHHHH!!!

[BallaActuary]

Hm, well that was a fall flat on face. Oh well.

[notmyfault]

:tdown:

[quentin cassidy]

1 awful quarter, and 3 very good quarters for the Nuggets. Very nice to see them withstand the Warriors early run and control the game for most of the 2nd half.

To have a chance in the playoffs, JR Smith is going to need to get significantly more minutes than Anthony Carter. Ellis was unstoppable when Iverson and Carter were on the floor together since both are too small to guard any scoring 2 guard. These bad starts happen way too often. The difference in production at that position and +/- with Smith vs Carter in the game is startling.
http://www.82games.com/0708/0708DEN.HTM

At least Karl is leaving Smith in at the end of games when he's playing well. He looks so much better than he did at this time last year.

[yankeetripper]

well that sucked. congrats qc - barring a monumental nuggets colapse it'll be the Warriors on the outside looking in.

[crazcarl]

I would rather see GS in the playoffs but maybe Denver can make it interesting against the Hornets or possibly the spurs.

[quentin cassidy]

well that sucked. congrats qc - barring a monumental nuggets colapse it'll be the Warriors on the outside looking in.

Thanks, but Denver's not out of the woods yet. It's not likely, but if GS can win out (which means winning @Phoenix), Denver would have to either win at Utah (who is like 20-1 at home in 2008), or at home against Houston on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Not exactly an easy task.

I'm still holding out hope that this can turn into the year where both pro teams that I follow (NYG and Nuggets) peak at the right time for the playoffs. If they get in, Hollinger gives Denver about the same chance of reaching the finals as every other team in the West except Utah, who he surprisinlgy gives a 25% chance despite their mediocre road record and the fact they might not have home court advantage in any series (the other 7 teams are all given about a 10% chance). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds

[The Spocker]

possibly the spurs.

you did watch the playoffs last year right?

[BallaActuary]

Denver looked like the Finals champs tonight. :roll:

[The Spocker]

I do think the nuggets size could give the lakers a hard time. but in the end, they have no one to guard kobe.

[Baron Von Raschke]

Denver has no chance to beat the Lakers (with or without Andrew Bynum), simply because they're not smart enough to solve the triangle.

Nor can Denver hope to overcome either Utah or San Antonio, simply because both the Jazz and the Spurs are much too disciplined to succumb to harum-scarum, isolation-oriented basketball.

Denver has a fairly good chance to beat the Hornets, simply because of their alertness in the passing lanes and their three explosive scorers. Iverson can easily cancel out, or even trump, Chris Paul. Melo will certainly abuse Peja. And K-Mart and/or Camby should be able to contain David West. Also the Hornets will have no answer for J. R. Smith.

Moreover, the Nuggets' quick-handed zone just might give New Orleans fits.

Should the Rockets somehow manage to clinch the top seed, it's not beyond imagining that the Nuggets might prevail. But only if Melo can escape the defensive clutches of Shane Battier.

[The Spocker]

I thought new orleans was a bad matchup for denver mainly because of chandler. then again, I haven't seen a NO game all year, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. in theory, shouldn't elite point guards be able to breakdown zones?

[The Spocker]

oh, and agreed they have no shot against utah and SA.

[BallaActuary]

Huge game today w/ Hou vs. Den. Den should beat Memphis and GS should beat Seattle. If Den wins today, I give them the 8th seed. If they lose, GS has a decent, not excellent though, shot of beating Phx especially since it's on the road.

[CaptainDingo]

Sorry Balla!

Maybe GS can petition to be in the Eastern Conf. next year.

[quentin cassidy]

Great win last night, that was probably the best defense Denver has played all year. JR was the 'X' factor again after a sluggish first 8-9 minutes of the game for the Nuggets. I don't mind him staying as the 6th man and playing the Ginobili/Barbosa role, but Denver is going to need more of him and less of Anthony Carter in the playoffs. Tim Grgurich has done a fantastic job getting JR's game under control so that his good plays far outweigh the bad ones, unlike last year when he had to be benched in the playoffs.

If New Orleans beats Dallas and Denver beats Memphis on Wed, Denver moves up to 7th and probably avoids the Lakers/Jazz side of the bracket.

[CaptainDingo]

If New Orleans beats Dallas and Denver beats Memphis on Wed, Denver moves up to 7th and probably avoids the Lakers/Jazz side of the bracket.

Although if NO wins and the lakers lose, NO is the top seed.

Plus getting #7, even with a win, gives you the winner of Phoenix/SA. Ouch.

[quentin cassidy]

Although if NO wins and the lakers lose, NO is the top seed.

Plus getting #7, even with a win, gives you the winner of Phoenix/SA. Ouch.

Wouldn't count on the Lakers losing to Sac when they are playing for the #1 seed.

All 8 teams are really good, so there's not going to be any easy road for anyone. It's going to be really fun to watch.

The Nuggets don't zone a lot, they used it against the Warriors because GS is content to launch bad 3's all game long. I don't think it would work as well against NO since Paul would just drive and dish to the open man, Peja is deadly, and MoPete/Paul/Pargo are all decent from out there as well, so I don't think they'd use it much.

[notmyfriends]

Did anyone else see the Raptors get dismantled by the Piston's C-team?

[BallaActuary]

Sorry Balla!

Maybe GS can petition to be in the Eastern Conf. next year.

Maybe SJax will stay out of the strip clubs and not get suspended. Truthfully, I blame him solely for not making the playoffs. They could never recover from that 0-6 hole. Even though they probably would have only won one or maybe two of those games (certainly vs. LAC, but tough matchups otherwise), that obviously would have mattered.

[BallaActuary]

He was a big part of their playoff run last year so I guess I can't hate him too much.

[Schnook]

Did anyone else see the Raptors get dismantled by the Piston's C-team?

:party:

[Requiem]

Did anyone else see the Raptors get dismantled by the Piston's C-team?
Yep, and I'm not suprised at all!! It's going to be a short playoffs for them

[Livan33]

It's going to be a short playoffs for them

I agree, I'm definitely not getting my hopes up. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised, but I doubt it. They've been brutal over the last month or two. At least it's looking like they'll get Orlando in the first round (not that Orlando is bad, but a better matchup than Detroit I think).

[Requiem]

I agree, I'm definitely not getting my hopes up. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised, but I doubt it. They've been brutal over the last month or two. At least it's looking like they'll get Orlando in the first round (not that Orlando is bad, but a better matchup than Detroit I think).
Very true. We just saw what a team that kind of resembles the Pistons can do, and the only player that might have half a chance of guarding Lebron has half a leg (Garbo). I think the Raps have a small chance against Orlando if Bosh can consistantly guard Superman and he has to do so without getting exhausted, and be able to score and get to the line in the 4th.

[Livan33]

Very true. We just saw what a team that kind of resembles the Pistons can do, and the only player that might have half a chance of guarding Lebron has half a leg (Garbo). I think the Raps have a small chance against Orlando if Bosh can consistantly guard Superman and he has to do so without getting exhausted, and be able to score and get to the line in the 4th.

Ya, not having Garbo is huge, especially come playoff time. I think he's far more valuable than most people understand. He's the toughest guy on the team and so good on the boards and on defense. On a team of soft guys that love shooting 3's he's one guy who's not afraid to mix it up. I'm having some deja vu here, I think I wrote something very similar when discussing their playoff chances about a month ago.

What's your opinion of the TJ-Jose situation?

[notmyfriends]

I agree, I'm definitely not getting my hopes up. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised, but I doubt it. They've been brutal over the last month or two. At least it's looking like they'll get Orlando in the first round (not that Orlando is bad, but a better matchup than Detroit I think).

At least the announcers haven't made a big deal about how much better it'll be to play Orlando and how it's a good matchup for the Raps etc. so that the Magic don't have something like that to fire them up going into the series.

[notmyfriends]

What's your opinion of the TJ-Jose situation?

Jose needs to play more significant minutes.

[Livan33]

Jose needs to play more significant minutes.

:tup: I use that question as a test when I talk to people about basketball. If they don't answer something similar to this then I decide that we're not going to see eye-to-eye on basketball related topics.

[notmyfriends]

:tup: I use that question as a test when I talk to people about basketball. If they don't answer something similar to this then I decide that we're not going to see eye-to-eye on basketball related topics.

When he was playing most of the games (during TJ's injury) his assist to turn over ratio was sick, he was getting everyone involved in the scoring, and they were winning games. Yes Bosh missed some games in their late season slide, but he was there and looking healthy for a good portion of it. There was one significant difference, though, that SHOULD be hard for coaches and brass to ignore.

[Livan33]

When he was playing most of the games (during TJ's injury) his assist to turn over ratio was sick, he was getting everyone involved in the scoring, and they were winning games. Yes Bosh missed some games in their late season slide, but he was there and looking healthy for a good portion of it. There was one significant difference, though, that SHOULD be hard for coaches and brass to ignore.

I know, I keep telling myself that they can't ignore this for much longer, but both Colangelo and Mitchell seem so in love with TJ. I'm giving Colangelo the benefit of the doubt since he is one of the best GMs in the league, but I really have a feeling that they're going to end up losing Jose when 20 teams offer him great contracts and Toronto says:

"We've already got our point guard of the future, he looks for himself first and only gets teammates involved as a last resort. Who needs someone that gets everyone involved, always finds the open man and is money from pretty much anywhere on the floor when we have TJ. Plus, if we try to sit TJ on the bench he'll sulk and make us put him back in the starting line-up. That's exactly what we're looking for in a leader!"

[Requiem]

I totally agree with everything here...

Yes, Ford can score 20 points a game, but at the expense of his teammates. If Jose wanted to, he could score 20/game no problem (probably more efficiently than TJ), but he knows that as a PG, he should be passing 1st, shooting 2nd. There is no way this combo is around until the end of next year. If the Raps can somehow can Keep Jose (while keeping TJ), something is going to give.

[quentin cassidy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3346621

looks like a little too much celebrating after the big win last night...ugh

[quentin cassidy]

Hey Balla,

How do you feel about Nellie benching Baron in the most important game of the year? GS made their comeback in the 3rd quarter with Baron, who shot 2-for-13 in the first half, on the bench, and he never got back in the game as Nellie decided that the group that made the comeback deserved a chance to finish the game.

[notmyfriends]

You play him in the 4th when things look to start coming undone, no question.

[chocolatefutactuary]

Wow, this has to be the greatest NBA season in the last 20+ years...look what potentially could happen in the West....

If Utah beats San Antonio, and New Orleans loses its last two games, and Houston beats the Clippers, and Pheonix beats the Trail Blazers, you're looking at 5 teams with identical 55-27 records. New Orleans, Houston, Utah, and San Antonio would have exactly the same records and conference records. Who would win the tiebraker? Who would get the get the 2-5 (I'm pretty sure Phoenix would get the six)?

[BallaActuary]

Hey Balla,

How do you feel about Nellie benching Baron in the most important game of the year? GS made their comeback in the 3rd quarter with Baron, who shot 2-for-13 in the first half, on the bench, and he never got back in the game as Nellie decided that the group that made the comeback deserved a chance to finish the game.

I agree with nmf (as always). Basketball is about streaks and if there are 5 players out there (w/o Baron) playing really well together, leave them in regardless of who is on the bench. But B. Diddy needs to be in there when Phoenix jumped back on top late in the 4th.

[quentin cassidy]

Denver has no chance to beat the Lakers (with or without Andrew Bynum), simply because they're not smart enough to solve the triangle.

Dallas got a big win over New Orleans to avoid the Lakers, so it's going to be Denver/L.A. It won't happen, but I think Denver's best chance would be to start Kleiza over Carter (I like JR as 6th man). Carter's a good defender, but he makes the team defense worse since it gives Denver the smallest starting backcourt in the league. They might be able to get away with that against teams whose SG is just out there to hit open threes, but the Lakers have one of the 3 most complete offensive players in the NBA at that position. Kobe will post Carter up all day. Also, this is going to be a high-scoring series, and Carter doesn't do much on the offensive end. The Lakers will double 'Melo (wouldn't be surprised if Kobe spends a lot of time guarding AI) and force Carter to hit open shots, which I don't have a ton of confidence in. They should give Carter about 15 minutes a game at most, when the Lakers have Kobe, Vujacic, and a PG in the game. With their normal starting 5, if you put 'Melo or Martin on Kobe, Radmonavic can easily shoot over someone 8-9 inches shorter than him.

[quentin cassidy]

Hard to argue with any of this except maybe Yao, but there's no one else at C who jumps off the page as an obvious replacement...Gasol would probably make the 3rd team if he had played the whole season in LA.

Below are the results of the voting for the 2007-08 All-NBA Teams, with First Team votes in parentheses:

2007-08 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward Kevin Garnett, Boston (118) 612
Forward LeBron James, Cleveland (117) 610
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando (86) 546
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (127) 635
Guard Chris Paul, New Orleans (124) 629

2007-08 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (1) 189
Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio (25) 397
Center Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix (30) 412
Guard Steve Nash, Phoenix (2) 311
Guard Deron Williams, Utah 228


2007-08 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward Carlos Boozer, Utah 174
Forward Paul Pierce, Boston (2) 151
Center Yao Ming, Houston (2) 71
Guard Tracy McGrady, Houston (1) 137
Guard Manu Ginobili, San Antonio 123

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first team votes in parentheses): Allen Iverson, Denver, 116; Carmelo Anthony, Denver, 89; Marcus Camby, Denver, 59; Chauncey Billups, Detroit, 38; Baron Davis, Golden State, 32; David West, New Orleans, 24; Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, 22; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans, 18; Antawn Jamison, Washington, 15; Al Jefferson, Minnesota, 14; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 11; Joe Johnson, Atlanta 8; Andre Miller, Philadelphia, 7; Caron Butler, Washington, 5; Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix, 5; Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers, 5; Kevin Martin, Sacramento, 4; Ray Allen, Boston, 4; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando, 3; Jason Kidd, Dallas, 2; Josh Howard, Dallas, 2; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 2; Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 1; Brandon Roy, Portland, 1; Michael Redd, Milwaukee, 1; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit, 1; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 1

[Bison]

So the All-NBA Fourth Team is basically the Nuggets?

[MooBeay]

I like Camby or Sheed over yao for 3rd team center. Also like West over Pierce. And maybe even Billups over manu.

[Baron Von Raschke]

I like Camby or Sheed over yao for 3rd team center. Also like West over Pierce. And maybe even Billups over manu.

Manu is clutch. If anything, he deserves to be 2nd team over Nash.

[The Spocker]

I can't believe the announcers were saying that Pierce deserved to be on 2nd team over Dirk.

[Baron Von Raschke]

I could see that.

[quentin cassidy]

I like Camby or Sheed over yao for 3rd team center. Also like West over Pierce.

In the voting, is 'Sheed a F or a C? Also, I like Chandler better than Camby.

[MooBeay]

Manu is clutch. If anything, he deserves to be 2nd team over Nash.

Maybe, but he's a 6th man and not a starter, so I can see him getting docked a little. or the fact he shot less from FG%, 3pt %, FT%, averaged half as many assists and only 2 more points.

[MooBeay]

In the voting, is 'Sheed a F or a C? Also, I like Chandler better than Camby.

I would bet Sheed is a forward. I like Chandler, but with West on 3rd team, I chose to skip Chandler.

[Baron Von Raschke]

Maybe, but he's a 6th man and not a starter, so I can see him getting docked a little. or the fact he shot less from FG%, 3pt %, FT%, averaged half as many assists and only 2 more points.

Well, given that Ginobili played fewer minutes per game on a team that played at a slower pace (fewer possessions), a comparison of points or assists per game is flawed. Nash may have shot a higher %, but Manu got to the line about twice as many times per minute played. Manu's shooting % was in also the high 50's in the last 5 minutes of close games. This in addition to not being the total liability defensively Nash was. :judge:

[DW Simpson]

Utah over the {Lakers, refs, David Stern, Hubie Brown} in OT

Seriously, Hubie is usually dead on, but today he didn't even pretend to be impartial.

And Stern has clearly given the directive that he wants a Boston-LA final. Hell, the other night one of the announcers asked him something unrelated, and he drools out something about the Celtics turnaround and the Lakers first-round win. What a POS.

How many frickin pushoffs does Bryant get?? Does the league tell the refs to give him 5 a game? How many hacks does Fisher get to get away with?

Game 5, {Lakers, refs, David Stern, Hubie Brown} by 20.

[Bison]

Utah over the {Lakers, refs, David Stern, Hubie Brown} in OT

Seriously, Hubie is usually dead on, but today he didn't even pretend to be impartial.

And Stern has clearly given the directive that he wants a Boston-LA final. Hell, the other night one of the announcers asked him something unrelated, and he drools out something about the Celtics turnaround and the Lakers first-round win. What a POS.

How many frickin pushoffs does Bryant get?? Does the league tell the refs to give him 5 a game? How many hacks does Fisher get to get away with?

Game 5, {Lakers, refs, David Stern, Hubie Brown} by 20.

:iatp: Though it seems like Detroit has gotten the benefit of more assistance so far than Boston... of course, that may very well change next round.

[Baron Von Raschke]

The ghost of Zeke lives. D'Antoni to the Knicks.

[MooBeay]

Well, given that Ginobili played fewer minutes per game on a team that played at a slower pace (fewer possessions), a comparison of points or assists per game is flawed. Nash may have shot a higher %, but Manu got to the line about twice as many times per minute played. Manu's shooting % was in also the high 50's in the last 5 minutes of close games. This in addition to not being the total liability defensively Nash was. :judge:

Yeah, Ginobli did play a whole 3 minutes less per game.
PPG or assists is flawed, but random stats about last five minutes of close games isn't? what's a close game? 5 points or less?
maybe if he shot better during the first 43 minutes it wouldn't be a close game.

[Baron Von Raschke]

Yeah, Ginobli did play a whole 3 minutes less per
PPG or assists is flawed, but random stats about last five minutes of close games isn't?

Playing fewer minutes on a team that has fewer possessions means it is harder to rack up points and assists. If Ginoblil were playing in the Suns system (lot of possessions, little emphasis on defense) he would have much bigger numbers.

what's a close game? 5 points or less?

Yes

maybe if he shot better during the first 43 minutes it wouldn't be a close game.

Maybe, but the last 5 minutes of close game stats are telling of who helps their team win. Ask Boston about that. Nash is good in those situations, Manu is one of the best.

[The Spocker]

am I stupid for thinking boston can beat the lakers?

[Requiem]

am I stupid for thinking boston can beat the lakers?
Nah, Boston is the home team. They don't lose at home. Case closed.

[LifeAct]

Can somebody give me 1 good reason to watch any basketball game for the rest of the playoffs? The home team wins 90% of the time.

I think that part of the reason is that the arena PA system is allowed to play whatever they want whenever they want. If they would restrict the noise level on the PA, then it might be more even.

[erosewater]

am I stupid for thinking boston can beat the lakers?

They have to get by Detroit first.

[Kris Kross]

Can somebody give me 1 good reason to watch any basketball game for the rest of the playoffs? The home team wins 90% of the time.

I think that part of the reason is that the arena PA system is allowed to play whatever they want whenever they want. If they would restrict the noise level on the PA, then it might be more even.

the spurs blast music just as often or more when they have the ball as when the other team does. historically home teams in the playoffs win like 65% of the time. this year has just been weird, and it's not guaranteed to continue.

[The Spocker]

Can somebody give me 1 good reason to watch any basketball game for the rest of the playoffs? The home team wins 90% of the time.

I think that part of the reason is that the arena PA system is allowed to play whatever they want whenever they want. If they would restrict the noise level on the PA, then it might be more even.

I'm pretty sure this is an anomaly.

[The Spocker]

any predicitions for the lakers/spurs series? I've gone on record saying that I do think they will win the title, but kobe's back can change a lot obviously. just wondering if anyone thinks the spurs will keep this close.

[erosewater]

any predicitions for the lakers/spurs series? I've gone on record saying that I do think they will win the title, but kobe's back can change a lot obviously. just wondering if anyone thinks the spurs will keep this close.

All depends on whether the Spurs cheap-shot artists are successful in their attempts to injure Kobe.

[The Spocker]

All depends on whether the Spurs cheap-shot artists are successful in their attempts to injure Kobe.

I actually agree with that. I think they play fantastic basketball, but they have a lot of dirty players.

we should set an over under on how many black eyes ginobili gets

[Requiem]

we should set an over under on how many black eyes ginobili gets
Oh god I hope it's more than 1. (I think he only has 2 eyes).

I also want to see how many times Bowen intentionally sticks his foot under Kobe while he is taking a jump shot.

[The Spocker]

I think a robert horry 2 elbowed back pick on kobe would be more productive.