This is the thread where we talk about the NBA playoffs

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Sports? It's gibberish. Stop making fun of us, W.

Big Ben will be back for the playoffs
Ben Wallace, aka Big Ben (he had a cool black and gold Big Ben medallion at the game last night... I kid you not), plays center for my beloved Detroit Pistons. He sprained his knee a couple weeks ago and we've been struggling without him ever since, but since he has the freakish ability to play thru pain (like a real athlete should) he'll be back when the playoffs start this weekend.

Orlando obviously needs a healthy T-Mac to carry them
T-Mac = Tracy McGrady, arguably the most gifted natural basketball player in the league. His team, the Orlando Magic, is overall fairly weak but McGrady is so good that they win anyway.

Dallas is everyone's favorite paper tiger
The Dallas Mavericks... they got off to an amazing start this season but haven't been able to beat any of the top teams in the league, are weak on defense, and despite having a ton of talent look like when they inevitably play the Sacramento Kings, the LA Lakers, or San Antonio Spurs will have a tough time winning a 7-game series (16 teams make it to the playoffs, each round is best of seven).

the Admiral's farewell run (even though he's pretty hobbled) mean that if the Lakers and Sacto aren't careful, it'll be San Antonio against the cannon fodder from the East.
The Admiral = David Robinson, center for the San Antonio Spurs who is retiring after this season. He got his nickname cuz he spent a couple years in the Navy. Anyway, he's a good player but really old (hence retiring).
Sacto = Sacramento Kings
cannon foder from the East = there's two Conferences, the Western and the Eastern Conferences, and the West has been much much better the East.... so, whoever makes it out of the East will just be cannon fodder for whatever team survives from the West.

See??? No gibberish!!

b-b-b-b-but it's just pictures...of football. And footballers

That said, Michael Finley just came back after missing about 15 games with a hamstring injury. He didn't play much last night, but the Mavs did come back and beat a nagging (and very athletic) Seattle team. We haven't performed well against the top teams this year, but we have beaten all of them at one point or another. If we face the Lakers in the first round, I don't really like our chances (nor do I like the chances of anyone else playing them) -- however, if we face Portland, I think we can beat them as long as we stay in our game, provide an ounce or two of at least decent team defense, and hit shots.

As for the whole show, I think it's going to come down to LA and whoever wins a San Antonio-Sacramento series. There are no teams in the East who can compete with any of the top 6 teams in the west in a 7 game series (Detroit got swept by Dallas this year, by an average of about 30 points per game -- and this is their #1 seed?). The Western conference championship game, as it has for the past 4 years, will decide the NBA champ.

Yeah, I would've liked for Detroit to at least put up a fight in those games against Dallas (they did beat them twice in the preseason, too bad those don't count).

Nordic-- Pictures of footballers really DO confuse me! So, you CAN'T pick up the ball?? WEIRD!!

Hahaha! That was a total dis but also a total classic NBA moment. I dunno I'm rooting for Garnett; I totally want him to achieve in these playoffs, god bless.

jamal crawford, jay williams, jalen rose, tyson chandler, eddy curry... didn't really strike fear in anyone's heart in December, but yo, did anyone see them play in the last month? [ok, not counting that 51 point loss to Indiana.....]

But I don't see Garnett getting traded... his contract is so outrageous that a team would have to give up way too much in exchange, for someone who would STILL be a free agent at the end of next season. Plus, the T-Wolves -- unless they're 100% convinced he's gonna leave -- won't move him. But, I could see him coming to.... the Pistons as a free agent in 2004!

Bulls are okay but WAY young and inexperienced (3-38 on the road!). With Jerry "The Only Thing as Big as My Stomach Is My Ego" Krause gone and John Paxson as the GM, who was in touch with Joe Dumars (gonna win Exec of the Year) before he even got the job for advice, I see things finally looking up. Bulls will probably trade their pick this year unless they land #1... they don't need any more youth.

Anyway, Game 3 of Pistons-Magic is tonight. T-Mac can keep scoring 46 if the rest of his team forgets to turn up (I'm rooting against him but MAN he's unbelievable... and only 23!).

Anyways, in the last month, the Bulls beat the Lakers, Philly, NJ, Indiana, and Milwaukee... with OT losses to Milwaukee and Detroit. That's not bad! Jamal Crawford averaged 23ppg/6.5 assists/4rebs, shooting 47% which is great for a PG. Eddy Curry shot 66% [!!!!] and 20ppg, 6 rebs. Tyson Chandler really improved after the all-star break, Marcus Fizer was coming along until he tore his ACL... And there's always Jay Williams! Holy shit - they're gonna be really really good in a year or two or three.. i should sign up for season tickets

If Isaiah doesn't get the Pacers over the hump and at least through the first series, he is going to get some heat.

That's OK, the refs and NBA don't much like them either.

It is good to see a team from Indiana inspire loathing, it hasn't happened since the glory years at IU with Knight.

I agree about Zeke getting some well-deserved heat if the Pacers don't make it out of the series. His clock/time-out management in Game 1 was TERRIBLE.

Jalen Rose is a choad. That guy doesn't care about anything but his scoring average. He should be banned to basketball hell to play with World B. Free. I was glad they shipped him out.

Zeke definitely needs to take a chapter out of Coach Knights book about how to use the clock/time-outs. Say what you will about Knight, in a tight game he uses the clock like a chess board.

Then again Thomas' problems may be like Bird, it is just much different calling the plays than running them. I don't think Bird liked coaching mostly because he never could count on his players like he could himself, which may be why great players seldom make great coaches.

T-Wolves = 2nd best hair in the NBA, after the Mavs. Hudson and Gill are working it!

The thing about Zeke versus Bird... at least Bird was smart enough to delegate most of the actual Xs and Os coaching to his assitants. Zeke, on the other hand, completely mishandled the substitutions and time outs of Game 1 which had a LOT to do with them losing. If they get bounced in the first round, I wouldn't be surprised if he got some serious heat. I also gotta wonder if Donny Walsh re-signing Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller and Reggie Miller is gonna be such a slam dunk??

Best hair in the NBA:
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030423/capt.1051117952nba_defensive_player_wxs102

Can't believe that Dallas has let Portland win the last 3 games... pretty weak.

San Antonio vs. Lakers is gonna be a great series. I'd really like to see L.A. lose. REALLY REALLY like.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2002-10/5164466.jpg

Pistons up two games and my boy Tayshaun Prince -- who averaged something like 3.3 ppg and had 30 DNP-CD (did not play coach's decisions) during the regular season -- has stepped up HUGE. Hopefully Billups' ankle will be better soon and we can steal a game in Philly this weekend. But my Pistons are playing fanastic lately. I couldn't be happier.

Sacramento looked like they were gonna cruise thru their series with Dallas, but then the Mavs score 82 in the first half (new record!) and Webber and Jackson both leave with injuries. The odd's on favorite to win the championship might have hit a speed bump -- depending on how serious those injuries are, it could be a major speed bump.

Speaking of, you never want to count them out, but the Lakers are definitely not looking like the league champs. Loosing Fox and George is huge for a team with very shallow depth and which relies on its two big stars (Shaq and Kobe, natch). We're gonna see how great a coach Phil Jackson really is if he can get them back in the running. San Antonio, meanwhile, is getting some fantastic play from their role players and Duncan isn't even dominating.

Final series, Nets versus the Celtics, and my least favorite player in the league -- Fatoine Walker -- has looked terrible during the first two games. I hope the Celtics at least make the Nets have to work a little by stretching the series out, but unless something drastically changes, it should be the Nets in 4 or 5.

put him in the pivot in boston and the schemes to defend pierce and walker all get thrown out the window.

that's my point, if they can get to the conference finals last year and make a push to the finals this year with battie/blount/mccarthy at the 5 then i've got to imagine having dik for even 20 minutes would be huge. no need for him to score, just rebound and defend.

I can't wait for the response from the Celtics faithful tonight after Byron Scott essentially called them crazy drunks.

(I'm gonna email you today, brotha, promise)

Celtics were really hurt by their owners making stupid moves in order to sell the team last summer. They're talking about bringing in Danny Ainge, which should help, but it's gonna take a couple seasons to undo the backwards steps and to get out of the Vin Baker contract. I do think that they're gonna come out and win at least one game this weekend... as much as I hate them, Pierce and Walker have the ability to really turn it on, and now would be a good time to do so!

Anyway, the one thing I've learned from these playoffs: The Sun will be the next Western Conference powerhouse. They will.

Suns are gonna be fantastic. Same with the Rockets when they learn how to play with the big man in the middle.

Check it out. It's Antoine Walker and Keon Clark...
http://www.animationartgallery.com/images/osc/oscbb20.jpg

huh, i'm sure a-gonna watch the Boston- New Jersey game tonight... "early morning" for me, it'll be; it'll end 'bout 04:30 am local time, possibly (the first Sacra- Dallas match started at 04:30 am for me!)
anyhoo, may Buddah bless the russian 7tv cable-channel that does the occasional live telecasts

and may La Lakers lose two more, natch

And the Rockets are my NBA team, always have been, and I get the feeling that despite Yao's obvious talents he's always gonna be a letdown. I can't explain why I think that, but I look at him and think: Rik Smits. (or should that be Lik Smits? ouch!)

Keon Clark was interviewed during halftime of the Pistons-Sixers game and man, he IS Mushmouth. He's definitely gonna have to step it up if Webber is actually out.

The Dallas/Sacramento game was insane! I still think Sacramento is gonna take the series though - they just slipped up one game and let momentum overtake them. They won't let it happen again, even if Webber is out.

And the Lakers are gonna lose! Hurrahs around.

And yeah, I doubt the Kings lose another game to Dallas.

I refuse to celebrate the demise of the Lakers until they are in fact eliminated.... but I'm getting ready.

I think it'll be Sacto in 6. It could go 7 if Webber and Jackson are in fact out... we'll see.

It's official:
http://www.freep.com/art/2003/jun/12/espn_darko.jpg

and the baby bulls ad didn't air last night! i call shenanigans!!!

I don't mind these Finals (even though I've watched half of a game, maybe that's why)... it just means it's a transition year. Anything's better than another Lakers championship.

I'm skipping Broken Social Scene to see this (it's true!).

http://netscape.nba.com/news/amex_030331.html

Anyway, yeah, big props to the Admiral.

ThankyoumydearSpursforwinninganotherchampionship!

God bless you, Admiral.

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (believe it or not) are going to be major assets to the Spurs organization in the future. If (and this is a big IF) the Spurs are able to lure in Jason Kidd (*crosses fingers*), the whole "dynasty" question will become a non-issue because there WOULD be a dynasty here in play.

I love my Spurs. I love them. I love them.

*cues up Depeche Mode's "Never Let Me Down Again" and "Black Celebration"*

Of course, I think the Kidd is looking to win a title NOW, not in 3-4 years, & Warriors + Kidd doesn't seem to be the type of tandem that can topple a healthy Kings lineup, or the Spurs (who might lose 75+ years of experience this off-season), or Les Mavs, or them there purple / yellow dopes.

Maybe Phoenix can sign him! Yeah yeah! And he can play 2!

< nerd contract talk > Yeah. The Warriors are the victim of a weird circumstance with the collective bargaining agreement. Basically, if you have a player for three years, you can go above the salary cap to resign him. But, since Arenas was a second round pick and only signed to a two-year contract, and the Warriors are above the cap (they were trying like mad to dump a contract or two last season), the most the Warriors can offer him is the mid-level exception (around 4.8 mil). Teams like Denver and maybe even the Jazz, who are under the cap, will probably offer him a bigger contract (Arenas is only 21). The funny thing is that the best the Warriors could offer Kidd is that same mid-level.

It'll be really interesting to see where Kidd winds up. If he does bolt, he must think there's no chance that NJ will improve. I'm of the camp that thinks that San Antonio would be foolish to go after Kidd and ought to go for a big instead. Although, Parker didn't exactly have a consistent playoffs and his confidence is very touchy. Although, he is 21. Plus, he's a great interview. "I am just so happy, you know."

But, for the West next year, look out for Phoenix. That's the start of a dynasy folks, no kidding.

Jason Kidd stays put. The Spurs try to sign Jermaine instead. If they do it'll be a bust.

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (believe it or not) are going to be major assets to the Spurs organization in the future

Wow Dee, bringing some shocking insights aren't we? (I kid, I kidd)

Danny Fortson and Bobby Sura are the real problem contracts on that team and the reason they can't resign Arenas, but luckily they're expiring just in time for them to give Jason Richardson an extension.

But, for the West next year, look out for Phoenix. That's the start of a dynasy folks, no kidding.

Especially once they get out of those horrible Penny and Googs contracts. And Marion, Amare and Starbury (who are 25, 26 and 20!) are just gonna get better.

Jason Kidd stays put. The Spurs try to sign Jermaine instead. If they do it'll be a bust.

Unless the Spurs sign Kidd -- and either moving Parker or having them both play in the backcourt isn't unpossible -- I agree he stays in NJ (no one else who could sign him stand a chance of winning a championship, unless he wants to take the midlevel and play second or third fiddle somewhere). I think O'Neal will stay in Indiana... he feels a lot of loyalty and likes being the #1 dog. My guess would be if they could pry some of the LA Clippers (Maggette, Olowonkandi and/or Brand). Maggette and Brand are restricted, so LA can and might match, but worth a shot.

Yeah, the Penny and Googs contrax are fucking ridiculous. And don't forget Tsakalidas' deal, which is also weighty. Still, that core trio is so young and so good (tho Marion shoots like he should be in the WNBA) that they're destined for a championship. All they need are a few more supporting players and they can do it.

As much as I love the Kings, I don't know if they can do it next year. It's gotta be hard to amp yourself up for the third consecutive season looking for a championship. It has to be emotionally draining, I would think. That, and Bibby really regressed this season.

You think Jermaine stays? I'm not sure. More than anything, the Spurs need a couple more big men (Kandiman would be great) and a solid two-guard (Jackson and Ginobli aren't there yet). And even better, they need another Terry Porter type-guy, just to lessen the pressure on Duncan (sorry Bowen, you ain't it).

He's in the last year of it, but it's around 6 mil. Which is prolly way too much for a backup SG. The Warriors are also really hurt by the fact that free agency comes AFTER the draft. They basically have to guess if they will in fact lose Arenas (Boykins is a free agent too), and then draft accordingly. Of course, if they pick up a PG (there's a bunch in this year's draft), that pretty much guarantees that Arenas bolts.

Yeah, the Penny and Googs contrax are fucking ridiculous. And don't forget Tsakalidas' deal, which is also weighty. Still, that core trio is so young and so good (tho Marion shoots like he should be in the WNBA) that they're destined for a championship. All they need are a few more supporting players and they can do it.

Yeah, it's definitely gonna come down to coaching and if their GM can bring in some good role players once they have some cap room.

As much as I love the Kings, I don't know if they can do it next year. It's gotta be hard to amp yourself up for the third consecutive season looking for a championship. It has to be emotionally draining, I would think. That, and Bibby really regressed this season.

I agree. I think they've already had 2 chances, it's gonna be hard to get a third. Plus, Divac is around 80 years old... I think he has maybe one or two seasons left in him. And Webber has never shown he can carry a team to a championship (although the knee was karma, not a lack of effort or anything).

You think Jermaine stays? I'm not sure. More than anything, the Spurs need a couple more big men (Kandiman would be great) and a solid two-guard (Jackson and Ginobli aren't there yet). And even better, they need another Terry Porter type-guy, just to lessen the pressure on Duncan (sorry Bowen, you ain't it).

I think that unless San Antonio can give an amazing pitch, Jermaine stays. Indy's underachieved the past two seasons and I think he'll think he has a better shot staying put. Is that true? Prolly not.

I dunno... they just won a championship with Jackson, Ginobli and Bowen. They all seem like solid role players to me. If the Spurs can upgrade at the 5 and/or 3 spots, wow. They can get even better.

1. Richardson -- fancy dunks and no D -- is not the answer. Arenas is, though, so getting rid of JRich might be the best move (somehow) and moving Gilbert to his natural SG. Unlikely, though, since they're both buddies and that move would likely antagonize Gilbert. Only way Warriors hang onto Gil is the chip on his shoulder.

2. Chris Mullin -- lace 'em up, come back!

http://www.nba.com/media/finals2003/riley_229_rings.jpg

Or what Karl Malone dreams his hands look like? (double ouch)

I see a hockey thread now on ILE but not an NBA one. Knicks still alive, barely. Thunder waiting for Pacers or Knicks. NBA execs worrying about ratings hoping NY can somehow come back

https://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=68&threadid=11589

2025 NBA Postseason Thread - It's The Offs Baby