You sure you weren't watching Vince Carter highlights, instead of yesterday's game? I'm more than willing to give Bean the benefit of the doubt on this one. I don't think he'd play up an injury just because he's having a bad game. I think that's an overreaction. This is NBA basketball, these are some big, strong guys, and there's always going to be some contact. This ain't tiddly winks, you know. Turiaf deserved a flagrant, but I don't know that he warranted an ejection, and certainly doesn't deserve to get suspended. His arms were swatting for the ball, and he got Price's arm; it's not like he was swinging for his head. The bodycheck was the bad part, but I've seen MUCH worse. Duncan's a fine choice. I absolutely love how he bugs his eyes out to the size of dinner plates when he hates a call. But as much as I hate to say it, because he's my boy, I think Rasheed Wallace takes the cake. And yes, I'm a Pistons die-hard, but the truth must be told: Sheed is the NBA's #1 on-court defense lawyer.
BTW, I don't know if anyone saw this, but I like Kevin Garnett a whole lot more now than I did before watching it. Link I've ripped on Garnett in this thread a fair amount, but after watching that, if the Pistons can't win, I wouldn't mind seeing Garnett get a ring.
Like I mentioned, all I saw was ESPN's lowlights...which of course, I have to consider the source. That said, they played-up the fact that KRobaby was already hurting well before 1/2 time...then in the fourth, he seemed absolutely fine..then he gets one knocked into the seats and he is hurting again. He is a world-class athlete (Far from being a class human being) but as far as athlete, he is the best of the best. Probably just playing through it.
I already addressed my thoughts on Jazz fans in a previous column. Just in case anyone thinks this is me just flying off the cuff because the Lakers are playing the Jazz. I have hated Utah forever.
You clearly didn't watch the game then. He was grimacing and going back to the locker room throughout the game. At one point he got knocked down and was extremely slow to get up. To the point where I thought they are going to have to call a timeout and escort him off the court. This was all before the fourth.
Well, I wouldn't quite call it a high five. They had a brief fist touch as if Turiaf was trying to say "sorry, no harm meant", but the point remains. Now, that thing with Marvin Williams on Rajon Rondo...THAT was a flagrant 2. And honestly, Williams should have had much more than an ejection and 1 game suspension to start 2008-9. At least 5 games would have been appropriate.
Kevin Garnett is one of the most passionate athletes to ever suit up, regardless of the sport. Don't know which video that is, but I'll watch it later. I mean, the guy literally cried on national television on behalf of how badly he wanted to be apart of a winning franchise. I've felt sorry for him his entire career, and I'm happy for his success right now. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing Boston win the title. On a similar note, I actually feel bad for Tracy McGrady......... Yeah. As big of a Kobe fan as I am, I can't imagine rooting against Big Shot James unless the other team is the Miami Heat.
Agreed. For lack of a better term, I used the high five moniker. It was more of a bumped fists thing, but as you said, the point still lingers. The Marvin Williams attack was just that, a head hunting play where he grabbed Rondo and threw him to the ground. Completely different.
Gee Einstein, we have never thought about that. Once L.A. loses a home game, then I will become more concerned about it. Until then, L.A. still holds the advantage. If Kobe's back allows him to drive and not just post up, I think we will be fine. Especially since Lamar has apparently figured out that he can drive to the hoop every time (he just needs to finish every time...). Utah cannot finish and if L.A. lingers around from 0-10 points, they are going to be fine.
Thats mr. Einstein to you. I def. think without Gasol Utah, is a better team. If and yes it is a big IF, Kobe's back hampers his play in game 5, and Utah takes it, that could very well be the series.
Just not our year in terms of injury. This is a series that makes me wish we had Bynum back. His size as well as rebounding and shotblocking ability were sorely needed.
Yeah, then Papa John's apologized and sold large pizza's for 23 cents on a selected night in the Cleveland area (not sure if it was all of Ohio). The combined total went towards LeBron's charity foundation. I believe Papa John's donated an additional $10,000.
yeah i read all that but why would PapaJohns make a "crybaby" tshirt? what exactly did the shirt say? So PJs made LJ shirts that said crybaby for the Cav Fans?? Im lost on what happened. im just seeing if theres a backstory to it or something
Well Boston played a good 3 QTs of basketball. Of course Doc Rivers doesn't know when to sit and put in his starters. Did not understand leaving Rondo, Allen, and KG for the first 4 mins of the 4th QT. Cavs shot lights out from 3 point. But this game was the best game the C's have played while on the road imo.
Boston just can't seem to win on the road. Luckily for them, they've got home court advantage for the rest of the playoffs.
Desides Cleveland still has to beat Boston in Boston for that to happen. I doubt their going to have the same success from 3 point in Boston.
It blows my mind how teams THIS deep in the playoffs cant win road games. I have never seen anything like this.
Yeah it really boggles the mind seeing how they were the best road team in the regular season Barkley said it best their not agressive they rather take a jump shot. Its funny because whe Cleveland was in the penalty in the 2nd QT with more than 5 mins I think they got to the line twice.
I cant stand seeing KG taking 14 foot jumpers instead of driving to the hoop. It drives me nuts how big men want to play outside, dam it your 7 ft! Dunk that Sheet!
Remember in game 1 of the Cavs game in the $qt Kg drove to the hoop to give Boston the 2 point or was it 4 point lead? KG has long arms where he could do that all the time. I mean you can blame Mchale for teaching him the fade away. Mind you KG has one of the best Fadeaway in the game but in crunch time he should attack the hoop.
IMO KG is best once he is on the block because he uses the backboard much like Tim Duncan. I believe now if Boston plays Detroit, Detroit will win the series.
I still think Boston wins the series. Cleveland blew their chance to win this series by letting game 1 get away imo.
It would be crazy if it took 28 games to win an NBA title not 1 game won on the road. After watching Boston I don't think they have a chance in hell beating a West team.
I agree, if they cant win on the road they wont beat the teams in the West. And at this point I have a lot more faith in LA or San Antonio winning one in Boston than in Boston taking one on the road.
Doc Rivers isn't a championship coach, I don't see Boston winning against any of the Western teams either. I'd say they'd be lucky to get past Detroit, if they can get past Cleveland.
I hate to keep flogging a dead horse, but that's KG's career in a nutshell. Dominant early, but just doesn't do it late in games. And no, I don't have any idea why. But he just seems to lose his aggressiveness late. Boston has got to be getting worried, and I'm starting to agree with Desides: I think we might be headed for Detroit-Cleveland, Round III. Yes, they've still got home court, but Cleveland's still got the best player in the series, and we haven't had The LeBron Game yet. There's going to be a game where James lights up the Celtics for 40 and carries his team to a win. So far, the supporting cast has kept Cleveland in this series. The fact that it's 2-2 with LeBron shooting something like 25% for the series (or whatever it is) is mind-blowing. Whereas Atlanta and Cleveland have seemingly been a bit intimidated by playing in Boston, you can be sure Detroit isn't concerned about that. Whatever home court advantage Boston has is going to be considerably lessened. Well, unfortunately, Flip Saunders isn't a championship coach either. I'll take him over Rivers, but I'm not thrilled about it. I know he's a backstabbing, conniving little prick, but I never felt like the Pistons were being outcoached when Larry Brown was on the bench. Whatever his failings as a human being, Brown kept the Pistons motivated, kept the fire burning, and managed to keep the game at a pace favorable to the Pistons. I miss that backstabbing, conniving little prick.
Well in the battle of non-championship coaches, Rivers vs. Saunders I'm going to go with Detroit simply because of the player's experience in these series. There is honestly something wrong with the Celtics on the road and I think Detroit can steal a game on the road. Detroit in 7. Honestly though, the Eastern teams suck its just the truth.
Boston can;t put people away...I saw it when the Heat played them early in the season. You muscle them a little bit and they back down.
You know its true, but its weird because they really are a good defensive team. Somehow though, even being a good defensive team if you punch em in the mouth they step back. They can downplay the Atlanta series all they want, that was pathetic to go 7 against that team. They MAYBE should have lost one game to Atlanta. Could you imagine one of the all time great teams like the Bulls or Pistons or Celtic greats letting up for a second on a team like that? They would have punched that young team in the mouth and beat them by 15 a night and been done in 4.
Not to look ahead, although I really don't see Cleveland winning a game in Boston, I don't see the major disparity between Boston and Detroit. Maybe in terms of talent, but not as a team overall. Both teams are physical and can turn it on at the right time, but I think Detroit's experience will pay the toll when it's all said and done. I've been begging people not to count out Detroit all year, and this is their conference. What it boils down to, IMO, is the fact that Boston hasn't proved worthy of being capable of playing their game on the road, whereas Detroit has shown time and time again that they are fully capable of playing Championship basketball whether at the Palace or elsewhere. I could really picture Detroit stealing a Game 1 or Game 2 in Boston then taking care of business at home. But.....that's for a later discussion, so I'll save the specifics on the breakdown.
I tell you what - it's scary that Boston hasn't been able to put one away on the road yet. Yes, I know that they've got the best record in the league and homecourt throughout. However, you can't rely on winning every game at home, especially when you get down to the possibilities of playing a team like Detroit and/or Los Angeles (or any team from the West). An 0-5 road start is shocking, IMO, for such a tough defensive team. Boston has a statement to make; they've got to win games 5 and 6 in this series, IMO.
