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Official 2005 NBA Playoffs thread! Now with 100% less Kobe!

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A

AirBrian

Member
AstroLad said:
Well the Suns had a freaking mountain to overcome:

-very little defense
-no Joe Johnson when they needed him most
-no bench (especially when they didn't have Johnson)
-no playoff experience vs. basketball's closest version of the New England Patriots

Any one of those would have been enough to do them in, but all of them? Yikes. Well now they've got some experience, and they got basically to where most people expected them to after their great season, so they're right on track if they make a few moves in the offseason.
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Exactly. I know they're good, but you cannot use basically a 7-man rotation and expect to win. At some point those players will get tired. Like I said, two good off-season moves and they're right there with the Spurs and Pistons (although the Pistons need one more scorer). And most of these guys (except Nash) are young too. I could see the Suns winning multiple titles in the next few years (assuming they play defense and develop a stronger half-court offense).
 
B

Bat

Member
Wow, what a game.

I disagree with whoever said that the Suns can't win in the playoffs with this type of play. Give them a real bench, Joe Johnson for the series, and Amare another couple of yeras to develop, and I think they can win this type of series. The thing is that the Spurs aren't just a very good team....they are a truly GREAT team, much better than their two championship teams in 03 and 99.

And it really takes a game like this to realize how great Tim Duncan is. His numbers don't even tell half the story, really. As Loki said, Amare might score 42 on 32 shots, but that is solely on single teams, while Duncan quietly drops 31 on 24 while the Suns clog the paint all game long. His defensive impact is even bigger; while Ben Wallace collects the trophies, Duncan is the real premier defensive player in the league. He's just the complete package.
 
T

TheDuce22

Banned
I love watching the Suns, love Nash, and they had a nice season too, but that style of play just won't work in today's league with teams like the Spurs and Pistons.
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Spurs were talented and diciplined enough to score with the suns while playing just enough defense to win. It had nothing to do with the style of play, they were just the better team.
 
B

BatiGOOOOOOL

Member
Loki and Bat sure know what they're talking about. Games like tonight is what makes TD one of the best players in NBA history. Of course, with the way he operates, people will hardly take notice. Doesn't matter really, just being able to watch him play is enough for me.

As for the game, all I can say is I'm ecstatic. I won't get into the refs situation again because I'll get flamed, but I'm sure most people saw what happened. Even the ESPN guys saw it. But anyway, back to more important stuff. Amare was nasty once again, even if he had single coverage, he is a monster and he will continue to wreak havoc for years to come. Even more if he improves his defense.

It feels great to see the Spurs beat such a talented team like the Suns. Plus they were really classy during the whole series, unlike previous opponents. Props to them for their amazing season.

One step closer to the ultimate goal. Can't wait.
 
L

Loki

Count of Concision
Just wanted to make a quick point since they were showing the clips from the last Heat/Pistons game, and I didn't really post much after that game:


Wade needs to do a lot more of the driving and dishing he did late in the 4th quarter. The entire series, he's taken it to the hole with the intention of finishing, only to be turned away more often than not, or forced into difficult shots. Then, late in the 4th quarter the other night, he seemingly decides to "turn it on" and dished out (iirc) 3 consecutive assists in the paint-- a couple to Zo and one to Haslem, I believe. He should be doing that from the get-go. Not only will it keep the defenses honest in the lane, but it'll do wonders for the confidence/rhythm of these other players; Wade will need everyone's help to win this series.
 
D

DMczaf

Member
MJ interview from 1992 :p

PLAYBOY: How did you get the news about Magic?

JORDAN: His agent, Lon Rosen, left me a message at practice and he said it's an emergency, he's got to talk to me. When I called him back, he told me, "Magic's having a press conference today. He's going to retire. He tested positive for HIV."

PLAYBOY: Where were you when he told you?

JORDAN: I was driving home. I almost drove off the road. I said, "This has to be some kind of sick joke." He said, "Well, Earvin wants to talk to you." So he gave me Earvin's number and I called him at home. He was as calm as you and I. I said to him, "Damn, you're calmer than I am. I'm about to drive off the road." He said, "I just want you to continue on with your life. I'm going to be fine, my baby's going to be fine, my wife is fine."

PLAYBOY: Before Magic's announcement, did players ever talk about AIDS?

JORDAN: We were aware of it, but most guys never thought of it happening to heterosexuals. It was always gays, drug users and people who got it from transfusions. But it slapped me right in the face. From all angles, it slapped me.

PLAYBOY: Have you been tested?

JORDAN: I've been tested for the last two years.

PLAYBOY: Why?

JORDAN: Because I've had insurance policies that demanded it.

PLAYBOY: Would it surprise you if there were other sports figures who tested positive?

JORDAN: No.

PLAYBOY: Would it have surprised you before Magic's announcement?

JORDAN: One of your prime personalities has gone public and said he got it through promiscuity. He wasn't the only promiscuous athlete. I'm pretty sure he won't be the last.
Click to expand...

PLAYBOY: There are some differences you haven't ironed out. What's the story with you and Isiah Thomas and the alleged Jordan freeze-out at the 1985 N.B.A. All-Star game? Do you think they were really denying you the ball?

JORDAN: If you go back and look at the film, you can see that Isiah was actually doing that. Once it started getting around that he was freezing me out, that's when the ill feelings started to grow between us.

PLAYBOY: There were some problems even before the game, weren't there?

JORDAN: That was my first All-Star game. I stayed in my room most of the time because I didn't know what to do. None of my teammates were there. I didn't want to be out in a situation that I wasn't comfortable with. The one time I did go out, I got on an elevator with Isiah Thomas to go downstairs for a league meeting. That was the first time I met him. And I said, "Hello, how ya doin'?" That's all I said. I was really intimidated because I didn't know him and I didn't want to get on his nerves. I didn't want to seem like a rookie. You know, to just be so stupid. So I was quiet. I stayed in the corner. When I went down in the room for the meeting, I still didn't say anything. After the weekend was over, it got back to me that I was arrogant and cocky and I wouldn't even speak to Isiah on the elevator, that I gave him the cold shoulder. And I'm saying Isiah Thomas initiated it all.
Click to expand...

PLAYBOY: Anything else bug you about it?

JORDAN: He really exploits certain things. I've heard there was a story about how Pippen, Grant and I were talking about our sons' penises. He said we spent thirty minutes debating whose son had the biggest penis. What's the purpose of that being in the book? You know it's kidding, so what?
Click to expand...

WTF?!
 
The Chosen One

The Chosen One

Member
Sign me on the bandwagon. I also think Amare has a pretty good shot at being the next "Most Dominant" player in the NBA. He's just so explosive for his size. Also, it's great that he's still actively improving on his game.

One thing for sure, two young stars were born this playoffs. Dwayne Wade and Amare Stodamire. Those two players are going to be great to watch in the coming years. After a 5-6 year lull, it seems like we're finally getting an exciting batch of new players who are the real deal.
 
B

BatiGOOOOOOL

Member
PLAYBOY: Have you been tested?

JORDAN: I've been tested for the last two years.

PLAYBOY: Why?

JORDAN: Because I've had insurance policies that demanded it.
Click to expand...

Riiiiiiiight? :p

BTW, Amare already has more individual success in the playoffs than what KG has done in an 8 year career. Hehehe...
 
D

DMczaf

Member
BatiGOOOOOOL said:
Riiiiiiiight? :p
Click to expand...

michael_jordan_mercedes.jpg


"Gotta run!"
 
V

VPhys

Member
AirBrian said:
I love watching the Suns, love Nash, and they had a nice season too, but that style of play just won't work in today's league with teams like the Spurs and Pistons.
.
Click to expand...



Uhh, you act like the Suns got blown out every game. The Suns were right there. Just a few teaks in their game (an offseason trade, a healthy Joe Johnson) and they are in the finals easily.
 
B

BatiGOOOOOOL

Member
VPhys said:
Uhh, you act like the Suns got blown out every game. The Suns were right there. Just a few teaks in their game (an offseason trade, a healthy Joe Johnson) and they are in the finals easily.
Click to expand...

I'm fucking sick of the Joe Johnson excuse. What about Tim Duncan playing on two jello ankles? What about a healthy Devin Brown? A healthy Rasho? More offense and defense for the Spurs.

Joe is a very good player, but everyone, from media to fans, made him out to be some kind of savior.

As for Manu's flops, I wonder where all the crying was during the regular season. We didn't start hearing all this shit until he started raping the "New Age" NBA teams in the playoffs and destroying the dreams of the casuals. Overall, he's been like one of the top 5 players in these playoffs. Plus all players act a little bit, but he does it twice per game and everyone wants to crucify him. He is one of the players in the league that gets more battered up by opponent defenses. He is always nursing a bruised something with the way he throws his body on the way to the rim and gets constantly hacked. Could it have something to do with him being latin american? *runs*

jobber said:
Already ordered that hat and shirt :)
Click to expand...

No, thanks. I'm still waiting for the probable champions t-shirt and hat. Plus the Championship DVD. :D
 
D

DarienA

The black man everyone at Activision can agree on
Does anybody know how often league MVP's end up in the championship game? Just curious.
 
M

Mugen

Banned
BatiGOOOOOOL said:
I'm fucking sick of the Joe Johnson excuse. What about Tim Duncan playing on two jello ankles? What about a healthy Devin Brown? A healthy Rasho? More offense and defense for the Spurs.

Joe is a very good player, but everyone, from media to fans, made him out to be some kind of savior.

As for Manu's flops, I wonder where all the crying was during the regular season. We didn't start hearing all this shit until he started raping the "New Age" NBA teams in the playoffs and destroying the dreams of the casuals. Overall, he's been like one of the top 5 players in these playoffs. Plus all players act a little bit, but he does it twice per game and everyone wants to crucify him. He is one of the players in the league that gets more battered up by opponent defenses. He is always nursing a bruised something with the way he throws his body on the way to the rim and gets constantly hacked. Could it have something to do with him being latin american? *runs*



No, thanks. I'm still waiting for the probable champions t-shirt and hat. Plus the Championship DVD. :D
Click to expand...

Nah, those players missing for Spurs didn't hurt much cause they got a deep bench while Suns have 6 players only. But yeah, even with Joe Johnson I predicted Spurs in 6 still. Spurs is great and Suns have to work alot resigning Joe Johnson, and getting a deeper bench and a legit center.
 
L

Loki

Count of Concision
DarienA said:
Does anybody know how often league MVP's end up in the championship game? Just curious.
Click to expand...

I just did a quick count, and it's happened 18 times since 1978-- so about 66% of the time. :) It seems to be more of a trend recently as opposed to years ago-- it's happened 11 times since '91 (79% of the time) as compared to only 7 times from '78-'90 (58% of the time).
 
T

themadcowtipper

Smells faintly of rancid stilton.
Loki said:
I just did a quick count, and it's happened 18 times since 1978-- so about 66% of the time. :) It seems to be more of a trend recently as opposed to years ago-- it's happened 11 times since '91 (79% of the time) as compared to only 7 times from '78-'90 (58% of the time).
Click to expand...

Sure you did
 
L

Loki

Count of Concision
themadcowtipper said:
Sure you did
Click to expand...

It was a figure of speech. ;) :D


And it actually was a quick count, since I just looked up the MVP list, and since I know what teams those players were on during those years along with who met in the Finals each year, it didn't take long. :)
 
B

bionic77

Member
DMczaf said:
MJ interview from 1992 :p







WTF?!
Click to expand...

Isiah is lucky that his team started to suck and wasn't a obstacle for the Bulls anymore. He probably would have ended up with HIV too.

Oh yeah, insurance testing for HIV. Not such a good job at a cover MJ. :lol
 
D

DMczaf

Member
bionic77 said:
Magic don't drink from that water bottle, its a trap!
Click to expand...

You know, the 92 Dream Team was the last time we saw "Skinny Magic"....

Soon after coming back to America, we got this Magic

bestpre.jpg
 
A

AirBrian

Member
VPhys said:
Uhh, you act like the Suns got blown out every game. The Suns were right there. Just a few teaks in their game (an offseason trade, a healthy Joe Johnson) and they are in the finals easily.
Click to expand...
Reading comprehension is fun!

AirBrian said:
I love watching the Suns, love Nash, and they had a nice season too, but that style of play just won't work in today's league with teams like the Spurs and Pistons. This series was exactly like the Mavs-Spurs WCF of 2003. The Spurs are just too solid defensively. The Suns have an advantage that the Mavs didn't/don't have in Amare, but they still need a couple of consistent defensive stoppers to be able to compete with the Spurs over a 7-game series.

I'm really excited to see what Amare does next season. He has so much potential to be the next "most dominant player" in the NBA.
Click to expand...
AirBrian said:
Exactly. I know they're good, but you cannot use basically a 7-man rotation and expect to win. At some point those players will get tired. Like I said, two good off-season moves and they're right there with the Spurs and Pistons (although the Pistons need one more scorer). And most of these guys (except Nash) are young too. I could see the Suns winning multiple titles in the next few years (assuming they play defense and develop a stronger half-court offense).
Click to expand...
Next time you take something I say out of context, do me a favor and quote the whole post. :|
 
D

DMczaf

Member
Sports Guy NBA Playoff update

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/cowbell/blog

And this goes back to the whole "Nash for MVP" argument. Before the conference finals, let's say David Stern gave Gregg Popovich the following choice: "Gregg, we want you to make the finals again ... we're letting you remove one player from Phoenix' roster so you have a better chance to win, any player of your choice." Well, do you really think Popovich would have chosen Nash over Stoudemire? In a million years?

(And while we're here, the 2005 MVP was the fourth-best player on the court in the conference finals behind Duncan, Ginobili, and Stoudemire. It warrants mentioning.)
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:lol

The officiating has never been worse. Ever. It's getting to the point that you know how these games will turn out just by how the calls are going (like Game 5 of the Pacers-Celtics series, Game 4 of the Nuggets-Spurs series and Game 3 of the Pistons-Heat series, to name three). Forget about contract lengths, age limits for rookies and everything else – this is absolutely the biggest problem in the NBA right now. They don't have five referees anymore who can control a game and not get affected by the crowd. How does this even get fixed?

(One other note: Every time the home team needs to win to make the series more interesting, you can count on the three worst referees possible to officiate that game – the guys most likely to get swayed by the crowd. For instance, where can I wager that Bennett Salvatore will be one of the referees for tonight's Game 5 in Miami? Last week, I predicted Miami's getting a 75-9 free throw advantage for Game 5 ... I'd like to change that to 84-8.)
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Damn straight!

The Bill Russell/Rick Fox debacle on Monday night was almost unparalleled. The thing about Bruce Bowen (25 second pause)... is that he's a good defender (20-second pause)... and the reason he's a good defender (10-second pause)... is that he moves his legs (50-second pause)... and knows how to defend (20-second pause). I can't even believe this stuff still happens. It's the Conference Finals! This isn't like an episode of "CSI" during May Sweeps, where CBS finds 2 or 3 celebrity guest stars for stunt casting purposes and doesn't lose anything out of the actual show. Shouldn't we have people who are comfortable on TV and know what they're talking about? Or am I asking too much here?
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:lol That was probably the worst halftime show I've ever seen.
 
B

BatiGOOOOOOL

Member
Well, he will also be helping in the selection of the 2008 OUS Olympic Basketball Team. Those are going to be some long meetings. :lol

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Larry Brown are among the who's-who list of stars who agreed Thursday to help choose the 2008 men's Olympic basketball team for the United States.

USA Basketball, the sport's national governing body, wants to avoid the trouble that came in selecting the 2004 Olympic team, which finished third at the Athens Games.

Last week, USA Basketball announced that Jerry West, Ernie Grunfeld and a handful of NBA team presidents and general managers would be part of the advisory group.

Other former players on the list this week include David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. Other coaches include Dean Smith, Bob Knight, John Thompson and Chuck Daly.

"I'm so grateful that these Olympians, both players and coaches, have chosen to assist, serve and engage in this process," said Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who last month was appointed managing director of USA Basketball's senior men's program.

Members of the advisory panel are expected to meet June 6-7 in Chicago.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=2074361
Click to expand...
 
D

DMczaf

Member
Members of the advisory panel are expected to meet June 6-7 in Chicago.
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I think one of Jordan's demands have been confirmed :p

And please get Magic Johnson away from this committee! He'll end up hyping Josh Smith for the team

johnson-magic.jpg


"He won the dunk contest! And we all know it's back, baby!"
 
F

Fifty

Member
Swordian said:
A fun read: http://aol.nba.com/suns/news/shirley_playoff_blog.html

Hopefully he updates soon with the conclusion of the Suns' playoff run.
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Shirley's the man. If he wasn't getting paid an NBA salary to sit on the bench and take warmups....he'd be winning sports writing awards :D He's way better than Simmons even...my hero at the end of the bench.


When the game began, though, the two die-hards stood up and unfurled their trump card, a hand-written sign that said something along the lines of:

Hair Dye: $8
Tickets: $500
Missing my first day of work to watch the Suns in the playoffs: Priceless

Their placard inspired a few thoughts. First, who is more of an [word for donkey], the guy who is three years behind the times and thought of the “joke,” or the guy who, back at the apartment, said, “Now that’s funny, dude. You totally have to take that to the game”?

Next, if one of our heroes is starting a job that would have theoretically had him working on a Sunday night at 7:30, was $500 for tickets to a basketball game really a wise fiscal maneuver? I understand that it is the playoffs and all, but was the abandonment of any potential cash flow worth the sacrifice? Maybe for the Finals, but even then I would be willing to bet the Texaco has a TV behind the counter.
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More Shirley awaits....read it today.
 
N

Ninja Scooter

Member
George Mikan passed away today at the age of 80. The first ever superstar in the history of the NBA, and the first in the long line of Laker Greats. Only the 3rd member of the NBA 50 Greatest to pass away (Pistol Pete, Wilt) IIRC.

georgemikan.jpg

RIP
 
P

Pimpwerx

Member
Ninja Scooter said:
what is with Shaq and the stupid fouls?
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Don't even get me started. He could have given up that bucket and still been in the game. He's played pretty stupid with the fouls all playoffs. PEACE.
 
B

bionic77

Member
Ninja Scooter said:
what is with Shaq and the stupid fouls?
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Plagued him for the last 3 or 4 years. He does get some shit calls where a smaller player will run into him when he is trying to get out of the way, but he balances that out by getting lazy on defense sometimes and that leads to most of his dumb fouls.
 
N

Ninja Scooter

Member
Pimpwerx said:
Don't even get me started. He could have given up that bucket and still been in the game. He's played pretty stupid with the fouls all playoffs. PEACE.
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he would do that alot when he was with the Lakers, its only magnified now cause he's playing with the legs of the 87 year old man, so i guess i can sympathize. YOU AND YOUR 4 INCH VERTICAL HAVE NO CHANCE OF BLOCKING BEN WALLACE'S SHOT SO DON"T EVEN BOTHER TRYING, FATASS!
 
D

DarienA

The black man everyone at Activision can agree on
It's a good thing a certain Jones is getting involved.. WTF Wade and Shaq... 2 fouls already? Damn.

Geez Miami.
 
strikeselect

strikeselect

You like me, you really really like me!
Dunking on Zo once isn't really getting owned when he blocks 90% of your other dunk attempts.

I guess after countless times Zo has owned Ben he had to get lucky and make one eventually.
 
D

DarienA

The black man everyone at Activision can agree on
Ninja Scooter said:
:lol Mourning gets double owned!! THats what he gets for all his annoying posing and scowlling! SUCK IT YOU NO KIDNEY HAVING MOTHERFUCKER!
Click to expand...
Considering how many blocks Zo's been getting... I'm not sure one dunk is... well... ah forget it...

DMczaf said:
WTF, is Ray Lewis trying to bring back the Miami Vice look?
Click to expand...
You want to get stabbed or something? You better leave Ray alone...

Oh lord gassing Kenny's head....

Elden is a b*tch BWAHAHAHAHAHA


OMG Wade with the flop! WHOO!!! He's learning like the rest of the floppers in the league!
 
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