So far, you couldn't ask for more from the NBA than these first two games. Spurs/Suns lived up to it's pre-game billing. The Spurs played uphill the whole game, and they hit big shots at the end of all three of the last periods (4th, 1st OT, 2nd OT) to win the game. The Duncan shot had me shaking my head. I heard one of the announcers say that Pop had drawn that up, but if Popovich did, he's an idiot. I think it just worked out that way and was good D by the Suns. But Duncan, who hadn't made a trey this entire year, hit the biggest of the game (tied with Finley's in regulation) to take it to a second OT. The fact that Amare had fouled out really hurt, especially with Shaq also carrying five fouls. Ginobli's such an intelligent player, he just kept taking it to the hoop and scoring. And then hit the game winner. Nice job by the Spurs. I really hope the Suns take the next game just to increase the drama. But as Hubie said talking now during the Dallas/New Orleans game, that game was a dagger. I thought the Suns were better all game, but San Antonio still won. Props to them. LeBron was great at the end of the Cavs/Wiz game. Obviously, from my first post, you probably realize he's not my favorite player, but he is an awesome player, no doubt. I liked what the announcers said about he and Arenas, and their back and forth. It's nice to hear the animosity. So those first two games have some bad blood in them. Good for us. Now, watching Dallas. Dirk has a lot to make up for from last year. He's playing a lot more aggressive here at the start. The Mavs have been the more impressive team so far, but it's early. 34-27. Kidd has been good so far and seems in the flow with the Dallas offense. Tyson Chandler has played tough for New Orleans, and Paul hit a floating miracle two at the end of the first quarter. So far, so good.
Classic lines during Pam Oliver's halftime interview with Jason Kidd as he was heading to the locker room. It went something like this: She asked, "Chris Paul had 11 points but only 3 assists in the first half. What did you do to slow him down out there?" Kidd answered with a laugh, "Nothing." He went on about how he was trying to keep Paul from getting others involved - make him a shooter not a scorer. So Pam Oliver asked, "So it's just luck, then?" Funny stuff.
Tonight's game is Exhibit A why I was trashing the Kidd trade for Dallas. Jason Kidd couldn't guard Chris Paul if the two of them were standing in a phone booth. Paul's got 26 points, 9 assists, and there's still 9 minutes to play!
You mean like how his drives to the rim are closer to something you'd see from a fullback than a small forward? Or how he CONSTANTLY clears out by making contact with his "off" forearm? And how he's NEVER called for a foul for any of these things? No argument there, but that's still a distant second to Dwyane Wade's "drive aimlessly, draw double coverage, turn around, fall backwards and flip the ball over the shoulder to draw the foul" routine. Of course, your average Heat fan is completely mystified why a guy that small, who plays that recklessly, keeps getting hurt. BTW, as long as we're griping about the refs, Michael Finley's wide open three was set up by a moving pick so egregious that even my boy Rasheed Wallace would be ashamed. No call.
Man, the second half came, and Dallas' heart left with it. What do they have, like three or four field goals the entire second half (3:49 left as I type)? 25-point turnaround from first to second half so far. Nice job, Mavs.
Probably. I think Johnson's a decent coach, actually, but with that much talent, if he can't get out of the first round, he's probably gone. It's a shame, too, because he was probably some poor officiating away from having an NBA title in 2006.
Yea the 2006 title series was a joke. I think if he was the one lobbying hard for Jason Kidd, a stupid trade IMHO, he would probably be gone if they lose in the first round. I do think he's a good coach though, he'll surface somewhere else.
The Nuggets can't play defense to save their lives. Gasol was scoring at will on them, even when Kobe was out of the game the Nuggets couldn't do squat. George Karl just cannot develop a defensive gameplan.
Yes they did. I guess it's payback for all the times Nugget fans call Kobe a rapist. Good game for Pau. 1st playoff win and he deserved it.
There go those upstart Sixers, putting a kink into everyone's playoff predictions. Errrr... maybe not. I still think the Pistons will win 4-1. Philly just got the Pistons attention a little earlier than I expected. Would've like to see Mo Cheeks act a little more reserved - kind of like he's been there before because he has - but who can blame the guy for being excited. Hard to call him a Coach of the Year candidate when the Sixers didn't go .500, but for this team to be in the playoffs given the expectations to be first thru third in the lottery, you can't really discount him either. And now, his Sixers are up 1-0 in the playoffs. And really, Philly didn't play that great. Iguodala had an off game and can be defended pretty easily by Detroit if his outside shot fails him. Miller and Reggie Evans were good. Dalembert stayed in foul trouble. And their bench, aside from Evans, was just okay. Of course, Detroit's players' performances were nothing to write home about either. Sheed was not bad, but he missed the tying lay-up late. Prince was getting hot, but then Saunders sat him on the bench in a go figure move. Billups and Hamilton both missed big free throws late. Whodathunkit? And they didn't shoot well in the second half. Just seemed like they were coasting, knowing they'd win. And then they didn't. Good.
Yes, they did. Personally, I thought it was funny. Probably offended a lot of people but whatever. As a Laker fan, it felt good to have the home crowd so behind their team. Even when our dynasty was happening earlier this decade, the crowd seemed to sit on their hands and not get into the spirit of playoff basketball. This year is different. Probably because this is the first team since those days to have a legit shot. Whataver it is, the fans are soaking it all in and giving back.
It was a chippy game too. Technical fouls handed out to JR Smith, who also fouled out and had a flagrant 1 called on him. Kobe Bryant and Kenyon Martin got nailed with double techs as well. And AI got thrown out for getting two techs in about three seconds.
Expect the next game to get even more chippy. I wonder what would happen if Coby Karl was allowed to go in and a Nugget player pulled a flagrant on him. Bet you he'll be one with the pine for the rest of his Nuggets career.
I was happy about the Sixers winning too, but it won't last. I think all they did was awaken a beast. Expect the to not see another victory this post season.
There is not a single exciting series in the EAST (unless your a fan of a team playing) meanwhile I dont wanna miss a single game of any of the western conference series. By the way Im a die hard Knicks fan.....but Im rooting for a Boston vs. Phoenix final although the ladder will be extremely difficult after SAT night.
I absolutely hate the Hawks/ Celtics series. It should turn into a sweep. The Nuggets will rebound. The biggest issue with the Nuggets is they simply dont have anyone that can guard Kobe.
Dont count your eggs before they hatch friend. Pistons have upset city written all over them. They look tired, and old on the court.
Western Conference (1) Lakers vs. (8) Nuggets 4-2 (2) Hornets vs. (7) Mavericks 4-2 (3) Spurs vs. (6) Suns 4-3 (4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets 4-3 Eastern Conference (1) Celtics vs. (8) Hawks 4-0 (2) Pistons vs. (7) 76ers 4-2 (3) Magic vs. (6) Raptors 4-0 (4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Wizards 4-1
