Official 2007-08 NBA Thread

[NewYorkSpider]

Points bumped from last page.

NBA Playoff Pool Standings:

1. fu manchu - 82 Points
2. WhySoSerious?? - 80 Points
3. L.A - 75 Points
4. Fran - 73 Points
5. omid17 - 71 Points
6. DBella - 69 Points
7. DarthRekal - 66 Points
... Bond - 66 Points
... Raiden - 66 Points
10. Ghostvirus - 65 Points
11. Mister J - 62 Points
12. Docker - 58 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 57 Points
14. JaD - 53 Points
15. CrypticOne - 48 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points

[Mister J]

I wouldn't put it past Lamar to stink up another one. Gasol doing so would surprise me though.

[fu manchu]

Must. Catch. FuManchu.

not a chance, we both picked lakers to win in 5.

[Nightmare]

not a chance, we both picked lakers to win in 5.

aw crap. You remembered. :cmad:

[NewYorkSpider]

What about how bad Lamar and Pau played?? They cant play that bad again. Can they?

Will Sasha Vujacic have another 20 point game? Will Bryant score another 35+ points?

not a chance, we both picked lakers to win in 5.


I didn't know if I wanted to tell him. You did for me. Thanks. :lmao:

[Nightmare]

Will Sasha Vujacic have another 20 point game? Will Bryant score another 35+ points?




I didn't know if I wanted to tell him. You did for me. Thanks. :lmao:

Sasha, doubt it. Kobe its possible. Yet you didnt answer my question.

[fu manchu]

aw crap. You remembered. :cmad:

hahaha,yes i did remember. so, why so serious? :hoboj:


I didn't know if I wanted to tell him. You did for me. Thanks. :lmao:

no problem:woot:

[NewYorkSpider]

Sasha, doubt it. Kobe its possible. Yet you didnt answer my question.

Mister J already answered your question. It was gonna be my answer too. Gasol shouldn't have another bad game, but Odom, you never know.

[omid17]

Why are people still listening to Sunrise? Why isn't this thread full of Boston LA talk. Instead of this Rigged BS? Seriously. Just ignore him. He ain't worth the time.It was Kobe and Sasha baby, really a fun game to watch. Finally Doc didn't play Cassel that much, Kevin and Paul were wack, but so was Gasol and Odom. Eddie House couldn't make jack **** too. In all i think the Lakers played a much better deffensive game than the previous 2 and it was a good sign to see Bryant driving it in a lot more.

[BlackLantern]

well ESPN is on this "rigged game" and "phantom fouls" story.....so I would gather it is worth some discussion...

[LastSunrise1981]

well ESPN is on this "rigged game" and "phantom fouls" story.....so I would gather it is worth some discussion...

Don't mention it around here. They'll say it's BS and anyone who dares to discuss it will immediately be shot down to the possibility of past games being fixed.

[Darthphere]

David Stern also told Paul Pierce to fake a knee injury.

[Raiden]

Nice win by the Lakers last night, but they won because of Kobe & Sasha, and Gasol, Odom, and Fisher have once again disappeared in probably the most important game of the series. I still believe that Lakers can win at the end, but if Kobe doesn't get help soon the Celtics will have a very good chance of winning. I really hope Phil would rip those under-performers to shreds in the practice and light a bonfire under their butt. He has used "weenie" to describe Gasol & Odom's play in the Spurs series; maybe he should use that term again.

Btw, Colin Cowherd from 710 ESPN radio just made a bet that he will change his middle name to Donaghy if Lakers win this series. I'd really like to start calling him Donaghy Cowherd when this series is over...

[Showtime]

David Stern also told Paul Pierce to fake a knee injury.

...and Pau Gasol to be ugly.

[Darthphere]

...and Pau Gasol to be ugly.

Seriously, no homo, but was he this ugly in Memphis?:huh:

[BlackLantern]

Seriously, no homo, but was he this ugly in Memphis?:huh:

Yes....my view is this....I don't think, at the beginning of the NBA season, taht David Stern and the PTB all sit in a darkened room and determine the fate of the NBA right then and there. What I do think happens is that if a favorable circumstance or matchup has a chance of occuring, I wouldn't put it past the NBA to take advantage of it. I would gather that once Boston and Los Angeles got into their respective conference finals, Stern and the PTB felt it would be beneficial to the league if those teams got to the Finals...

[Showtime]

Seriously, no homo, but was he this ugly in Memphis?:huh:

I think he is experiencing the opposite of what most experience in LA, he actually got uglier.

[Raiden]

Seriously, no homo, but was he this ugly in Memphis?:huh:

I agree, Gasol is pretty darn ugly. I think his beard is partly to blame.

[Showtime]

I think it is his face.

[kane9321]

jesus.. I just wish garnett would take it to the "rack" more often, stop with those damned outside jumpers. He should have taken gasol all day all the time, but he settles on outside shots..not cool. Pierce you better step yo game up dawg..don know if it was nerves or what..step the hell up

[Darthphere]

jesus.. I just wish garnett would take it to the "rack" more often, stop with those damned outside jumpers. He should have taken gasol all day all the time, but he settles on outside shots..not cool. Pierce you better step yo game up dawg..don know if it was nerves or what..step the hell up

Especially since he's missed (off the top of my head) like 20 of 25 attempted jumpers. Also, he needs to actually put it in when goes to the rack.

[Raiden]

I hope Gasol and Odom would take it to the basket more often as well. Heck, from the way they played last night if they didn't show up to the game, nobody would've noticed anything different. :cmad:

[Showtime]

I'm not worried about the Celtics, Garnett and Pierce played well below average and they still only lost by 6 points.

[Mister J]

Garnett has to simply be more aggressive; way too many jumpers against a soft interior. Pierce was awful, but he did have the Viper on him for a decent portion of the night. Of course, Bryant isn't going to put up the type of offensive effort that he did and shut Pierce down like that. He was just off.

All things considered, Boston is lucky they didn't get ran out of the building.

[Raiden]

I'm not worried about the Celtics, Garnett and Pierce played well below average and they still only lost by 6 points.

While that may be true, in Game 2 everyone including Kobe struggled, but Lakers also lost by 6, so when all things considered, they are about even.

[Silver Knight]

I'm not worried about the Celtics, Garnett and Pierce played well below average and they still only lost by 6 points.
So did Gasol and Lamar and the Lakers still got the W.

[NewYorkSpider]

So did Gasol and Lamar and the Lakers still got the W.


Sasha Vujacic bailed the Lakers out though. If he didn't shoot like he did, the Lakers would be facing elimaination tomorrow night.

[Docker2.0]

I believe Donaghy actually. Plus it's no secret that some players get "celebrity calls" and that can be used big time to an advantage. They should just call the game down the middle to get rid of all the rigged theories becuase a lot of them are sounding true.

[BlackLantern]

I have a gut feeling that Donaghy is telling the truth and that David Stern is full of ****

[Mister J]

Part of Bill Simmons' latest article over at the Worldwide Leader; asking the same questions about KG that everyone else seems to be.:
Q: Is Kevin Garnett on pace to pass Elvin Hayes, Wilt Chamberlain and Karl Malone as the biggest choke artist in the history of the NBA Finals?

A: For the sake of objectivity, this question had to be asked. And it's a fair question. After a smoking-hot first half in Game 1, KG has missed 36 of his past 50 shots -- which would be fine except nearly all of them were either wide-open jumpers or low-post moves with inferior defenders (either Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom or Ronny Turiaf) guarding him. What worried me Tuesday night was KG missed a few and subsequently seemed terrified to shoot, to the point the Lakers just started leaving him open and daring him to take his patented 20-footer like he was Quinn Buckner or something. In the second half, Boston helped him by bringing in Eddie House -- FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'd add 500 more exclamation points, but it would screw up the HTML for this column) -- to spread the floor, allowing Garnett to post up 10 feet from the basket, then whirl around, face Gasol and beat him off the dribble. Which isn't exactly difficult. Only it wasn't a sure thing in Game 3.

From a historical standpoint, what's fascinating about Garnett's situation is how much it mirrors two other Hall of Fame power forwards who were maligned for crunch-time performances throughout their careers. In the '78 Finals against Seattle, Hayes scored 133 points in the first six games, but only 19 of those came in the fourth quarter, a statistic that became the key subplot of that Finals. In Game 7 in Seattle, Hayes scored just 12 points and fouled out with eight minutes remaining, only a deep Bullets team prevailed by six with the Big E on the bench. When Malone famously struggled in the '97 and '98 Finals against Jordan and the Bulls, Utah couldn't win either series without the Mailman at his best. As it turned out, the defining moment of his career happened in Game 6 of the '98 Finals, when MJ stripped him of the ball and made the series-winning shot. In Garnett's case, the Celtics are built a little more like the '78 Bullets than the '97 or '98 Jazz because they can win games without getting a big offensive boost from him. And unlike Hayes or Malone, Garnett can contribute mightily just with his defense and rebounding.

On the other hand, didn't we expect a little more from him than that? I covered his crunch-time issues in a column for ESPN The Magazine a few weeks ago, but it's worth mentioning one point again: He gets too worked up for big games to the point that it's almost to his detriment. For instance, it was revealed after the Detroit series that Garnett hadn't slept for four days, a period that started after Game 4 and stretched past Game 6. If that was true, you can only imagine how he's handling the Finals. Like O.J. with Nicole, it's possible that he cares a little too much. And for someone who's supposed to be one of the best 25 or 30 players ever, it's almost incomprehensible that he can't make the Lakers pay for single-covering him with the likes of Gasol. Not to sound like Joe Theismann, but here's a guy with a can't-miss 20-footer, superb footwork on the low post, great passing skills and legitimate athletic advantages over every Laker who will defend him in this series. Is there any reason Garnett shouldn't be averaging 30 a night? I can't think of one ... except for the "Maybe he hasn't slept in a week" thing.

Regardless -- and this happens rarely in sports -- it's turning into one of those plots in which you can see the historical ramifications even as the series is still unfolding: If Garnett doesn't come through under optimal conditions, and the Celtics blow this series because of him, that goes in the first paragraph of his NBA tombstone. If they win the series despite his offensive struggles, that also goes on his NBA tombstone, only it will be buried halfway down (kind of like the '78 Finals with Elvin Hayes). Either way, there isn't a more fascinating character in the 2008 Finals with the exception of Kobe, who might end up killing Lamar Odom with his bare hands if the Lakers lose this series.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080611
Some other good stuff is in there too; Pierce's injury, Mamba the Teammate, a few shots at the officiating and a brief mention of Sam I Ain't being 'The Mole'. :D

[Mister J]

I have a gut feeling that Donaghy is telling the truth and that David Stern is full of ****
Then it shouldn't be that difficult find other referees and/or some information to substantiate Donaghy's claims.

[BlackLantern]

Then it shouldn't be that difficult find other referees and/or some information to substantiate Donaghy's claims.

Those other refs could have been spoken to by the NBA already or are worried about their employment...I don't believe in a vast conspiracy but I do think the NBA will capitalize on something if the opportunity presents itself....I haven't seen the ratings for the Finals yet, but I'd guess they are lot higher than if San Antonio or Detroit were in the Finals...

[Docker2.0]

Then it shouldn't be that difficult find other referees and/or some information to substantiate Donaghy's claims.

It actually isnt. Just look at that Kings game and also that Portland-Lakers game where LA came from 25 down in 6 minutes with ALOT of phantom and missed calls. I honestly don't think Stern was involved, but a few owners, refs, and players and you got a recipe for fixed!

[Mister J]

Those other refs could have been spoken to by the NBA already or are worried about their employment...I don't believe in a vast conspiracy but I do think the NBA will capitalize on something if the opportunity presents itself....I haven't seen the ratings for the Finals yet, but I'd guess they are lot higher than if San Antonio or Detroit were in the Finals...
We could spin a number of scenarios in that regard. Criminals aren't the smartest people around or the most loyal. If Donaghy is holding the smoking gun, it shouldn't take too many of the right questions being asked from the Feds to get something more than rampant speculation based on circumstance.

He's called specific attention to two playoffs games in particular; games where the officiating crew is easily identified. IIRC, Donaghy first mentioned others were involved last July and we don't know anything concrete yet? I doubt the FBI has just sat on that info. Wouldn't there be something outside of his allegations?

It actually isnt. Just look at that Kings game and also that Portland-Lakers game where LA came from 25 down in 6 minutes with ALOT of phantom and missed calls. I honestly don't think Stern was involved, but a few owners, refs, and players and you got a recipe for fixed!
You could look at any poorly officiated game and say the same thing. It's not proof of anything except shoddiness. When I say substantiation, I mean more names, more admissions, someone looking to broker for amnesty, anything. Again, too many people would need be involved in something like that to keep it on the hush, especially if one of them is now facing prison time with a continued investigation looming.

[Ghostvirus]

So Vinny D is the New Coach of the Da Bulls. Terry Porter is in Pheonix, & Michael Curry is in Da Motor City. So did everybody forget about Avery? Or am I missing something?

[Docker2.0]

Then explain to me celebrity calls. If kobe chops someone head off its not called. But if Fischer makes the same foul, it's called. Please explain it.

[Docker2.0]

FYI.....ESPN's Hot List is now reporting conflicting reports from the NBA and personel. Stern states that they talked to everyone and found no wrongdoings. Referee Delaney(who was one of the refs who called the Kings/Lakers game)said NOONE talked to him yet. It's on Hot List right now. :o

[Mister J]

So Vinny D is the New Coach of the Da Bulls. Terry Porter is in Pheonix, & Michael Curry is in Da Motor City. So did everybody forget about Avery? Or am I missing something?
About Vinny D: Literally, I've yet to see one article praising (or even comprehending this move). Dude has no coaching experience at all. What gives? :confused:

Detroit went from within; can't really criticize that. However, I don't really get what Phoenix is doing. Avery brought that good halfcourt execution and defense to Dallas. It seems to me that Phoenix would need that same juice. Why not get it from a proven guy who knows all about the West?

Then explain to me celebrity calls. If kobe chops someone head off its not called. But if Fischer makes the same foul, it's called. Please explain it.
Come on, Docker. That's hyperbole and you know it. 'Superstar calls' applicable to guy getting away with an extra step, a hold or something like that are hardly new; that's been there before any of us was even watching the game. You don't think Magic, Larry, Michael, Barkley, Malone, etc., 'got away with stuff'? You could probably find some people attesting to Wilt, Russell and Oscar getting the same treatment.

I look at that stuff as refs being influenced by a player's reputation; you expect (maybe even anticipate) certain guys making plays. I don't really give it any more attention than being a subconscious reaction. That doesn't always make it the right call, but citing it as intentional?; that's a reach to me. Is there one instance of a ref who isn't facing prison time just admitting that they simply gave calls away? Even if it wasn't influenced by the league, but just on their own bias?

Beyond that, it's hardly limited to the NBA. You mean to tell me you've never heard of someone complaining that certain pitchers get more called strikes, batters who receive larger strike zones, wide receivers get are allowed a bit more pushing off, cornerbacks who are allowed to be more physical and the like? I could rattle off a number of star players, irrespective of sport, who fit those descriptions and I'm fairly certain you could too.

[Mister J]

FYI.....ESPN's Hot List is now reporting conflicting reports from the NBA and personel. Stern states that they talked to everyone and found no wrongdoings. Referee Delaney(who was one of the refs who called the Kings/Lakers game)said NOONE talked to him yet. It's on Hot List right now. :o
Delaney also said this about Donaghy: :o
"This is not the first time a known or convicted criminal has lied about me before the judicial system. I have an extensive law enforcement background, and still train police officers. I have dealt with criminals and informants, and I know full well they are capable of doing and saying anything. I cannot comment any further without permission from the NBA."

[Docker2.0]

I'm not stretching and you are right, it has been around for along time but it only backs up dude's claim. When the Lakers played Philly in the finals and Shaq was throwing bows at Mutombo but Mutombo was called for the foul you can't help but think conspiracy. No other sport has the word and a cloud surrounding it like the NBA. Superstar calls shouldn't exist becuase it does come into question about integrity. But for Stern to COMPLETELY blow off dude's claim without any investigation shows he has something to hide. Samething with the NFL and spygate. WTF would you destroy all the evidence showing a team cheating and not show it to the public cuase the case has been closed if you didn't have something to hide. Then give them a pat on the wrist by taking away a 1st round draft pick, when they had another pick via trade?! :huh: Samething here! If you have nothing to hide, then don't blow it off like nothing happened.

[Docker2.0]

But.......him working in law enforcement has nothing to do with if he's involved or not. ESPN talked to both he and Stern and they have conflicted testimony. That shows you right there that something is going on and someone is lying. You can't possibly dismiss this as a coincedence.

[Mister J]

You're right, superstar calls shouldn't exist. However, unless there's some way of identifying them as intentional exercises, as opposed to subconscious efforts, I don't know how you guard against that in the NBA, NFL, MLB or any other scenario where human judgment is involved.

How has the league completely blown off the claims, when they're working alongside the FBI in furthering their investigation? :confused: I'm pretty sure the Feds are calling the shots on how this progresses at this stage, like when the league wanted to fire Donaghy in July and they told them to hold off.

I agree on the Spygate deal. I don't get why the tapes were destroyed before anyone else got a look. It doesn't project a very sound image.

My point in posting that quote wasn't to get at that Delaney is in law enforcement. It was to point out that he called Donaghy a lying criminal. There's no testimony involved. The disconnect is that Stern said the Justice Department had fully investigated Donaghy's claims and Delaney saying no one has talked to him. That's inquiring into the particulars of the JD's investigation and I doubt we get any light shed on that until after the sentencing next month.

[Ben Urich]

From FanHouse (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/10/the-bulls-have-big-plans-poor-execution/):
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/sports.aol.com/fanhouse/media/2008/06/bulls0708-tz-425.jpg

lofl.

[Mister J]

Vinny's hair is pretty spiffy. :o

0-0 Career Record. :lmao:

[Excel]

From FanHouse (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/10/the-bulls-have-big-plans-poor-execution/):
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/sports.aol.com/fanhouse/media/2008/06/bulls0708-tz-425.jpg

lofl.

Hahahaha :up:

[omid17]

From FanHouse (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/10/the-bulls-have-big-plans-poor-execution/):
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/sports.aol.com/fanhouse/media/2008/06/bulls0708-tz-425.jpg

lofl.

Vinny's hair is pretty spiffy. :o

0-0 Career Record. :lmao:lmao

[MoPlaYa]

Celtics winning this series 4-2

[LastSunrise1981]

I think we're going to see a game that goes down to the wire tonight. Boston will no doubt be looking to bounce back from the loss of Game 3 and look to regain some sort of rhythm. In order for Boston to succeed tonight they need to go back to the formula that helped them gain victories in Games 1 and 2.

Garnett needs to drive to the rim as Gasol, Odom, or anyone of the Laker roster cannot stop him when he's that close. When the jump shot isn't falling it's time to drive to the hoop.

Guarding Kobe is another thing they need to continue doing. But let's face it, you're not going to shut Kobe down, the only thing they can do is slow him down in transition and try to limit his passing opportunities. Force someone else to beat you, don't let Kobe do some of his late game heroics that way bandwagon fans and dumb analysts could compare him to Michael Jordan.

Throwing different defenders at him helped before. Have Perkins guard him, then Powe guard him, then Pierce, and Allen. Throwing different defenders at him destroys his rhythm and it's the best way to slow him down.

[Docker2.0]

Wow! 2 noncalls! :whatever: Here comes the refs stealing the scene! Conspiracy theorists are going to eat this up! I just finished playing ball and their seems to be a lot of them! Myself included!

[Excel]

oh my god, this is ugly....we are missing LAY UPS.

[Mister J]

My God, Boston. :dry:

[Excel]

This what I call ********...we did not foul them that much man come on! Doc...tell em whats up- they need to ****in chill out n loose the nerves.

[#1Batmanfan]

Go Lakers !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[omid17]

They need to get rid of Doc quick. Go Lakers :up:

[Excel]

No, I like Doc. KG needs to stop ****in around actually make a damn shot.

[omid17]

No, I like Doc. KG needs to stop fucikin around actually make a damn shot.Seems like these road trips are ****ing around with both the Lakers and Celtics heads

[Excel]

Yeah for real, what the hell is going on?? Both of these teams are dirty...why do they both play nervous on the road?

[omid17]

Yeah for real, what the hell is going on?? Both of these teams are dirty...why do they both play nervous on the road? different atmosphere on road trips imo

[Docker2.0]

KG may go down as the biggest choker in freakin history!

[Excel]

What about Wilt??

[Nightmare]

Wilt a choker? wtf.. then so is jerry west?

[Excel]

Wilt a choker? wtf.. then so is jerry west?

Perhaps I am mistaken...but didnt somebody just say wilt chamberlain was?

Anywways lets go boys...come on...

[Excel]

^here it is...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080611

[Showtime]

Wow. Big momentum shift. About an hour or so ago I wanted to punch my tv and now I am taping it back together with my mind.

[Excel]

I love Doc...BUT WHY THE **** IS PWOE OUT!

[NewYorkSpider]

What a comeback from the Celtics. :eek:

[omid17]

If Celtics win this game, they deserve to win the Championship

[Poeman]

what a joke...this series is now literally over if the lakers lose

[omid17]

When your up by 18 in the second half in the Finals, and you lose the game, you don't deserve to win the championship at all

[Mister J]

Ray Allen has been so ****ing timely tonight; scoring, rebounds, whatever.

[Showtime]

Wow. That was unbelievable. Momentum shifted in the game and completely shifted back to the Celtics in the series.

[The_Mighty_Thor]

BOO ****ING YA baby.

That's how you finish a 24 point comeback!

[Poeman]

game over...series over....what ********. I hate boston, but this was deserved

[Excel]

That was a ****in classic right there! Atta ****in way! I aint never been this pumped for a sport game I wasnt playing in -that was sick!

If they can win this series I will remember this game forevever, same way Ill remember games 4 n 5 of the alcs in 04.

That was incredible. Thats some ****in heart!

Suck on that, kobe! You aint LeBron!

Ray Allen has been so ****ing timely tonight; scoring, rebounds, whatever.

Ray hs been hustling his ass off all series; just watch them o ndefense; he is everywhere.

[NewYorkSpider]

What the hell happened to Vujacic when he let Allen make the easy run to the basket? :huh:

[omid17]

game over...series over....what ********. I hate boston, but this was deservedagreed, maby Lakers can win the next game but there's no way they can beat Boston 2 in a row in Beantown :csad::o:cmad::csad::o:cmad:

[omid17]

What the hell happened to Vujacic when he let Allen make the easy run to the basket? :huh:i have no ****ing idea:huh:

[NewYorkSpider]

game over...series over....what ********. I hate boston, but this was deserved

I said that during the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees were beating the Red Sox. The series is not over untill the Celtics win another game.

[Bond]

Wow.

Did everyone see how pissed Vujacic was during the timeout after Ray Allen blew past him?

[MoPlaYa]

Celtics FTW!!! There is no way Lakers can come back 3-1 with 2 games in Boston...Woot!!!

[Mister J]

That was a real team effort on Boston's part in making that comeback. HUGE efforts from House and Posey; KG actually established himself a little in the paint to get some nice inside buckets, Pierce had the penetration going and Allen was just everywhere. Just damn nice to watch all around.
What the hell happened to Vujacic when he let Allen make the easy run to the basket? :huh:
Looked like he got too aggressive in trying to deny the J. He played up too close and couldn't stop him from driving by without grabbing/bumping him.

[DarthRekal]

What a bunch of chokers....

Clyde err Kobe Bryant ... dissappears in the Finals again... guess he REALLY does need Shaq...

we can only hope for Bynum to be somewhat decent... god this is embarrasing... I'm proud of my guys for getting here.. but frickin FIGHT for it... ridiculous.. utterly inexcusable...

What a disappointing end to a GREAT season... and now we have to win 4 more to beat Boston... GREAT!...

Sorry i'm trying to be gracious... but this is just ****in stupid... all i can hope is that we dont let them win it here in LA... i dont want those ****s celebrating here...

you'll excuse me if i abandon hope.. as im a skeptic by nature.... sure we can win 3 in a row... but who honestly thinks thats gonna happen :huh:

is it still too late to trade Kobe????:huh:


Congrats on your chip Celtics.. I WONT SAY IT AGAIN... cause i HATE the Celtics... but y'all deserve it...


talk to y'all later ... good season

[LastSunrise1981]

Great comeback by the Celtics and a great win. I honestly believe this series is over for Los Angeles and that there's no coming back for them. I could be wrong, but if I am wrong on this account, then Boston has already accomplished what they wanted to do and that was pick up one in Los Angeles.

The real test is will they finish off the Lakers or will they lose a game so they can win it in Boston? As a fan of the game I believe they should do their very best to finish them off and not play around.

[omid17]

Great comeback by the Celtics and a great win. I honestly believe this series is over for Los Angeles and that there's no coming back for them. I could be wrong, but if I am wrong on this account, then Boston has already accomplished what they wanted to do and that was pick up one in Los Angeles.

The real test is will they finish off the Lakers or will they lose a game so they can win it in Boston? As a fan of the game I believe they should do their very best to finish them off and not play around.like DR said hope they don't let them win in LA

[Mister J]

You know what?; after watching the replay, **** what I said earlier. Sasha might as well have said 'Ole!' when Allen went by. Maybe he thought he had helpside D coming, but that was just weak.

[Raiden]

Any team that gave up 24 pts. at home and lost don't really deserve to be called the best team in the NBA. As much as I hate the Celtics, I will concede that they are the better team in this series. It's a good thing that Lakers are young, and I hope that they will learn from this and become a better team next year. Btw, I don't think Lakers should give Odom the extension now; 13 mil for #3 guy who disappeared in the Finals just not really worth it.

Excuse me while I vent my frustration elsewhere...

[Excel]

What a bunch of chokers....

Clyde err Kobe Bryant ... dissappears in the Finals again... guess he REALLY does need Shaq...

we can only hope for Bynum to be somewhat decent... god this is embarrasing... I'm proud of my guys for getting here.. but frickin FIGHT for it... ridiculous.. utterly inexcusable...

What a disappointing end to a GREAT season... and now we have to win 4 more to beat Boston... GREAT!...

Sorry i'm trying to be gracious... but this is just ****in stupid... all i can hope is that we dont let them win it here in LA... i dont want those ****s celebrating here...

you'll excuse me if i abandon hope.. as im a skeptic by nature.... sure we can win 3 in a row... but who honestly thinks thats gonna happen :huh:

is it still too late to trade Kobe????:huh:


Congrats on your chip Celtics.. I WONT SAY IT AGAIN... cause i HATE the Celtics... but y'all deserve it...


talk to y'all later ... good season

:hehe:

But for real, ook man, love the graciousness seriously :up: ...but stick by your team for real! Sox were down 3-0 to yankees you see us jumping ship?

The series is NOT over; the lakers might be very embrassed and Celtics as high as theyll ever get without drugs...but its not over.

[NewYorkSpider]

You know what?; after watching the replay, **** what I said earlier. Sasha might as well have said 'Ole!' when Allen went by. Maybe he thought he had helpside D coming, but that was just weak.

Looking at the replays, he must have thought he had help coming. Just looking at the expression on his face when Allen went by said it all.

[LastSunrise1981]

like DR said hope they don't let them win in LA

That would be the ideal situation for them. But either way they'll celebrate like no tomorrow whether it's in Los Angeles or Boston, you know? Although I have a feeling that LA fans would riot if Boston wins the next one.

[12 Bladez]

Can someone make a gif of Pierce blocking Kobe's fadeaway?!

Has anyone ever blocked Kobe's fade straight-up like that? Sick. Play of the game next to Ray's reverse lay-in imo.

Conrgrats Celts from this Laker-fan. :yay:

[DarthRekal]

:hehe:

But for real, ook man, love the graciousness seriously :up: ...but stick by your team for real! Sox were down 3-0 to yankees you see us jumping ship?

The series is NOT over; the lakers might be very embrassed and Celtics as high as theyll ever get without drugs...but its not over.


not jumping ship... just deflated... theres a semblance of hope... but i cant afford the doctors bill right now.. so let me stay negative as to NOT get suicidal:csad:

[LastSunrise1981]

For someone who supposedly "sticks by his team" and has been a "Laker fan for years", Rekal sure has given up on them really quick and doesn't have much faith in them. I realize I've said if Boston wins one in LA it's over, however, anything can happen and this could possibly fire up the Lakers to the point that they play out of their minds.

I am not going to celebrate or say it's over for sure now. I think it's over, but I have a feeling that Boston might not win the next one though. I have a firm belief that Kobe and the Lakers do not want Boston celebrating on their court for the next game.

This is an historic rivalry that is considered to be the classics of classics and it's going to be interesting to see what happens.

[omid17]

That would be the ideal situation for them. But either way they'll celebrate like no tomorrow whether it's in Los Angeles or Boston, you know? Although I have a feeling that LA fans would riot if Boston wins the next one.LS this is how i feel right now

im superman, and the Lakers are Lex Lethor


http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z277/venomwithin/normal_SR_5075.jpg

[NewYorkSpider]

not jumping ship... just deflated... theres a semblance of hope... but i cant afford the doctors bill right now.. so let me stay negative as to NOT get suicidal:csad:

Do you think that I gave up hope when the Cavs were down 3-0 in last years finals? It didn't look good at the time, but I had faith. :csad:

[Darthphere]

Great comeback by the Celtics and a great win. I honestly believe this series is over for Los Angeles and that there's no coming back for them. I could be wrong, but if I am wrong on this account, then Boston has already accomplished what they wanted to do and that was pick up one in Los Angeles.

The real test is will they finish off the Lakers or will they lose a game so they can win it in Boston? As a fan of the game I believe they should do their very best to finish them off and not play around.

David Stern should tell his refs to make sure the Celtics win.:o

[TheComicbookKid]

Damn, I can't believe it. I turned away at the start of the third quarter because I believed it was a lost cause. YEAH CELTICS!!!!!!

[LastSunrise1981]

LS this is how i feel right now

im superman, and the Lakers are Lex Lethor


http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z277/venomwithin/normal_SR_5075.jpg

Bit of an hyperbole don't you think? :cwink:

Even Superman came back to fight another day and save the world. I just have a feeling Kobe has a mindset to not let Boston win the next one in LA. Can you imagine that scene? The most intense/historic rivalry coming to an end in LA? I just believe Kobe refuses to allow that to happen so he'll do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't transpire.

[DarthRekal]

Do you think that I gave up hope when the Cavs were down 3-0 in last years finals? It didn't look good at the time, but I had faith. :csad:
listen.. im NOT giving up hope... i will still root for them to win... especially on sunday.. i dont want those ****s in my city anymore:cmad:



but how many teams have come back 3-1 in the Finals???

i have a better chance of dying on a rollercoaster... gettin hit by lightning... winning the lottery....


excuse me if i dont JUMP for joy.. for being in this position.. i dont recall the Cavs... giving up 24pt leads...:csad:

[omid17]

I just feel bad for those people who bought courside tickets for for ****ing $22,000 dollars and im not joking that's how much it cost

[LastSunrise1981]

David Stern should tell his refs to make sure the Celtics win.:o

You can stop with the stupid sarcastic remarks regarding my beliefs about the NBA's front offices.

With that said it's going to be an interesting Game 5. Wouldn't be surprised to see the next one go down to the wire and maybe Kobe going for 60.

[NewYorkSpider]

Bit of an hyperbole don't you think? :cwink:

Even Superman came back to fight another day and save the world. I just have a feeling Kobe has a mindset to not let Boston win the next one in LA. Can you imagine that scene? The most intense/historic rivalry coming to an end in LA? I just believe Kobe refuses to allow that to happen so he'll do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't transpire.


I can't wait till Sunday for Game 5. Should be an exciting/physical game. I'll miss the first quarter because of work though. :csad:

[LastSunrise1981]

I just feel bad for those people who bought courside tickets for for ****ing $22,000 dollars and im not joking that's how much it cost

Aren't most of the courtside seats mainly for celebrities who can afford those kind of seats? If that's the case 22,000 isn't going to hurt Jack Nicholson, Prince, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, or Ashton Kutcher.

[Excel]

Pierce is such a boss :up:

listen.. im NOT giving up hope... i will still root for them to win... especially on sunday.. i dont want those ****s in my city anymore:cmad:



but how many teams have come back 3-1 in the Finals???

i have a better chance of dying on a rollercoaster... gettin hit by lightning... winning the lottery....


excuse me if i dont JUMP for joy.. for being in this position.. i dont recall the Cavs... giving up 24pt leads...:csad:

Yall win on Sunday and its a series again. All that matters is how the lakers respond to it. Are they destroyed like yall seem or are they resillient??

Let me tell you; when the yankees dropped 19 runs on us in game 3, put us down 3-0...i didnt budge-still insisted sox would come back.

You can be dissappointed, but if your the fan you say you are, this makes you angry and even hungrier...not sad.

This settles the kobe-LeBron argument.

[DarthRekal]

Pierce is such a boss :up:



Yall win on Sunday and its a series again. All that matters is how the lakers respond to it. Are they destroyed like yall seem or are they resillient??

Let me tell you; when the yankees dropped 19 runs on us in game 3, put us down 3-0...i didnt budge-still insisted sox would come back.

You can be dissappointed, but if your the fan you say you are, this makes you angry and even hungrier...not sad.

This settles the kobe-LeBron argument.

not really.. cause Lebron didnt do much against San Anton... and what did Kobe do ???:oldrazz:



It makes me sad... cause i believe they shoulda beat the C's... i HATE the Celtics with a passion.... and these young guys(playing the game) have no real sense of the rivalry..... sure it makes me angry and hungry.. but I DONT play the game.... i watched this team for 4 years... since 04.. and seen Kobe not live up to OUR potential... i really thought he would come out like a TIGER.... he's flat ho-hum and blaze.. nothing to hang my hopes on.... Sasha is doen for the series.. (SEE HIS FACE).. Lamar was never invited.... Gasol is playing... but rarely is anyone else....


so call me what you want.... i am fan... because... i feel such disgust and disappointment doesnt make me less of one... you can sit here and talk about your optimism ... but everyones different... just dont mistake my resignment for bandwagonning.. cause i'll be here next year ignoring LS... talkin smack to C's fans... and trying to convert J to Lakerism... my hope is there.. because i dont wear it on my sleeve.. doesnt make it disappear.. my Lakers flag waves.. til the season is DONE.... PERIOD.... im just the type to HOPE for the BEST but EXPECT the WORSE.. it lessens the blow... BECAUSE I AM SO into this TEAM.. not because i dont wana deal with it

[omid17]

Aren't most of the courtside seats mainly for celebrities who can afford those kind of seats? If that's the case 22,000 isn't going to hurt Jack Nicholson, Prince, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, or Ashton Kutcher.True.

You know what's funny, i watched all the Laker games for 07-08 season and every time they had a huge lead on a team, the other would come back, the other team would lose, but still was a close game. Once i saw the Lakers up by 26 i got scared and i thought oh **** i hope the C's don't come back, than i thought there's no way this is the Finals there's just no way they're going to let them catch up, oh boy i was wrong:csad::o

Im no coach but damn every time your team is up by more than 20 or 30, still play tough, just pretend your down by 20 or 30, play hard for 48 minutes. That's what happened in game 2 when Boston just thought it was over, but Lakers came back only down by 2 and now it happened in game 3 and it was the Celtics that came back to win the ball game.

[LastSunrise1981]

I find it hilarious that even when he ignores me Rekal still mentions me.

No offense he's not a fan. A fan will stand by his team regardless of a seemingly impossible deficit and when push came to shove, I never left my teams side when they were down against New Orleans. A fan is a fan regardless of certain circumstances.

And while Rekal is ignoring me, I am calling out his bluff. Fact of the matter is people "ignore me" or "hate" me because I am one of the more passionate, honest, outspoken, and intelligent basketball fans out there. I don't joke around or get off topic, I stick to basketball conversation and strictly basketball. I often feel people feel threatened by me because of my knowledge of the game and because I love it so much.

Say what you want about me as a person, but no one on here can say that I've never expressed my views intelligently. Sure I may be difficult and may've been immature about it, but one thing is for certain, my views have never been strayed into stupidity and no one can say that I don't know what I'm talking about.

As for Game 5? Expect an epic encounter. Believe me, Kobe will not let the Lakers falter. As much as I hate Kobe Bryant he has a drive to succeed and if anyone can put fire, hunger, and desire into his team it's him. Don't be surprised to see the Lakers come out firing on all cylinders come Game 5.

[Excel]

Kobe nailed his answer, even if he could nail his shot-

reporter: how do you get over a game like this?
kobe: wine, beer, couple shots...bout 20 of them...

[LastSunrise1981]

True.

You know what's funny, i watched all the Laker games for 07-08 season and every time they had a huge lead on a team, the other would come back, the other team would lose, but still was a close game. Once i saw the Lakers up by 26 i got scared and i thought oh **** i hope the C's don't come back, than i thought there's no way this is the Finals there's just no way they're going to let them catch up, oh boy i was wrong:csad::o

Im no coach but damn every time your team is up by more than 20 or 30, still play tough, just pretend your down by 20 or 30, play hard for 48 minutes. That's what happened in game 2 when Boston just thought it was over, but Lakers came back only down by 2 and now it happened in game 3 and it was the Celtics that came back to win the ball game.

Well Omid the players of today don't have that same hunger, mindset, or intensity that players like Bird, Magic, Thomas, Jordan, West, Barry, Maravich, and etc had. Those players had a firm set of beliefs that you play the full 48 minutes of defense/offense regardless of how tired you maybe.

But I also think a lot of it has to do with how long the season is too. You have to remember that these guys play an 82 game season, plus the all-star game, and if you make it to the playoffs that's more basketball and a championship match added to it? I imagine being in that situation it's hard to remain energetic and hungry after playing so much basketball.

Personally I feel it would benefit the NBA, the fans, and the players if they shortened the season to a 50 or 60 game season.

[DarthRekal]

I just hope he doesnt pull another tirade.. about wanting to be traded if they lose :o ... cause i will personally go over there and SOCK him

[omid17]

Well Omid the players of today don't have that same hunger, mindset, or intensity that players like Bird, Magic, Thomas, Jordan, West, Barry, Maravich, and etc had. Those players had a firm set of beliefs that you play the full 48 minutes of defense/offense regardless of how tired you maybe.

But I also think a lot of it has to do with how long the season is too. You have to remember that these guys play an 82 game season, plus the all-star game, and if you make it to the playoffs that's more basketball and a championship match added to it? I imagine being in that situation it's hard to remain energetic and hungry after playing so much basketball.

Personally I feel it would benefit the NBA, the fans, and the players if they shortened the season to a 50 or 60 game season.:up:

first is was my Patriots at the Super Bowl:csad:
now my Lakers in probably the most important game (game 3) for them in the Finals:csad:

[LastSunrise1981]

:up:

first is was my Patriots at the Super Bowl:csad:
now my Lakers in probably the most important game (game 3) for them in the Finals:csad:

You're a Patriots fan? Me too. I was REALLY pissed off that the one game they lose is the one that mattered the most. I do believe they'll win it next year though.

I have a feeling the Lakers will win the next one though dude. Boston might get too overconfident and think that they have it in the bag, you know?

[Excel]

Agreed, I am a Pats fan as well...hell my avy was Randy Moss. We all know dissappointment then...I still aint over that :csad::csad:

if they had just ****in won...we might had sox, pats, n celts win the ship all with in 8 months...but no :csad::csad::csad:

itll come next year :word:

[omid17]

You're a Patriots fan? Me too. I was REALLY pissed off that the one game they lose is the one that mattered the most. I do believe they'll win it next year though.

I have a feeling the Lakers will win the next one though dude. Boston might get too overconfident and think that they have it in the bag, you know?:up: yes im a Pats fan too :yay: and i agree with everything else you said. I think that if the Lakers win the next 2, they'll have a good chance of winning the Championship

[Trainwreck2100]

The Mavericks have to be feeling pretty good, this should take some heat off of their 06 collapse

[DarthRekal]

The Mavericks have to be feeling pretty good, this should take some heat off of their 06 collapse


LOL :csad:

[DarthRekal]

:up: yes im a Pats fan too :yay: and i agree with everything else you said. I think that if the Lakers win the next 2, they'll have a good chance of winning the Championship
i think that IF the Lakers win the next THREE... we will be good :oldrazz::csad:

[Excel]

The Mavericks have to be feeling pretty good, this should take some heat off of their 06 collapse

Heh :up:

[omid17]

i think that IF the Lakers win the next THREE... we will be good :oldrazz::csad:yup lol, loved how kobe responded to those questions after the game

[LastSunrise1981]

The Mavericks have to be feeling pretty good, this should take some heat off of their 06 collapse

Meh, it's not really a meltdown honestly. Boston has been leading the series and the Lakers haven't really experienced a lead in the series in order for it to be considered a collapse.

Mavericks had a 2-0 advantage before choking it away. That is much different than simply having a 24 point lead.

[Trainwreck2100]

Meh, it's not really a meltdown honestly. Boston has been leading the series and the Lakers haven't really experienced a lead in the series in order for it to be considered a collapse.

Mavericks had a 2-0 advantage before choking it away. That is much different than simply having a 24 point lead.


you are underestimating losing a 20+ lead in a game you had to win at home.

[LastSunrise1981]

you are underestimating losing a 20+ lead in a game you had to win at home.

Yeah but the Lakers actually won a game and made this a series, you know? I understand that losing a 20+ point lead is very embarassing. But it's in no way similar to the situation Dallas was in as they actually had a series lead. They were up 2-0 before they lost their heads and collapsed without winning another game.

[Pickle-El]

Wow.....that was the most disappointing game I have ever witnessed. Fact is, Boston wanted it more than Los Angeles.

The Lakers transformed from prince to frog after that sizzling first half. That was the most astounding turnaround I have ever witnessed in a championship game (any sport). Lamar.....oh Lamar. Everyone witnessed tonight why the Lakers were the favorite, and coasted through the Western Conference....at least for one quarter when Lamar actually attacked. Then, everyone seemed to take their foot off the gas and go into cruise control. As a Laker fan, I am ridiculously embarassed for the way they played that second half. Boston deserves credit, all the credit in the world for playing every minute like it mattered. By the same token, the Lakers deserve to feel every ounce of embarassment running through their bodies after that buzzer sounded.

We witnessed something amazing tonight, a team that believed in themselves and refused to quit. And nothing, not even Kobe Bryant, could do a damn thing to stop it.

You have to give it up to the Celtics, I hate them with a passion, but there's no Laker fan out there that can deny one thing.....The Lakers, for all their flashes of brilliance, don't seem ready to snatch that Larry O'Brien trophy. And the Celtics, well, they are supremely confidant in each guy in green. The way they played defense when they had to in that 2nd half was just as pretty as any sweet offense the Lakers mustered up in the 1st half. Just unbelievable that game.

[MoPlaYa]

I`m glad the Celtics won...I picked them to win it all from opening day...K.G is one of my favorite players

[NewYorkSpider]

NBA Playoff Pool Standings:

1. fu manchu - 82 Points
2. WhySoSerious?? - 80 Points
3. L.A - 77 Points
4. Fran - 75 Points
5. omid17 - 71 Points
6. DBella - 69 Points
7. Bond - 68 Points
8. DarthRekal - 66 Points
... Raiden - 66 Points
10. Ghostvirus - 65 Points
11. Mister J - 64 Points
12. Docker - 60 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 57 Points
14. JaD - 55 Points
15. CrypticOne - 48 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points

[The Game]

That was one epic win, at times I wondered why I was staying up to watch a blow out, I never expected Boston to make a run like that, oh well don't like Kobe or the Lakers so its all gravy for me

[kane9321]

Thats how you make a statement...go boston go...1 more

doom to the lakers

[Omega Wizard]

NBA Playoff Pool Standings:

1. fu manchu - 82 Points
2. WhySoSerious?? - 80 Points
3. L.A - 77 Points
4. Fran - 75 Points
5. omid17 - 71 Points
6. DBella - 69 Points
7. Bond - 68 Points
8. DarthRekal - 66 Points
... Raiden - 66 Points
10. Ghostvirus - 65 Points
11. Mister J - 64 Points
12. Docker - 60 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 57 Points
14. JaD - 55 Points
15. CrypticOne - 48 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points
Wasnt he banned?

[The_Mighty_Thor]

like DR said hope they don't let them win in LA


It's been 22 years, they need to win it at home in front of the Boston crowd so we can celebrate proper.

Also Pierce better be speaking up and telling the others about 2002 when they set the record for bigest 4th quarter comeback in NBA playoff history and were only 1 win away from being conference champs when they got swept the rest off the way right out of the playoffs. It aint over till it's over!!!!

Of course this is a very different team and I can't see it happening but still they gotts keep their heads in the game.

[Dark Donnie]

I have a general dislike for Paul Pierce, hate him....but I do like Ray Allen and Garnett so...

[Darthphere]

I have a general dislike for Paul Pierce, hate him....but I do like Ray Allen and Garnett so...

Why exactly?:huh:


For the Lakers fans out there hurt by this loss, let me put it this way to soften the blow. The Celtics had to make history to beat your team last night.:o:csad:

[BlackLantern]

so I was out to dinner with some friends and when we got back to my friends house the game was in the 3rd quarter and we all sat in rapt attention as the Lakers fell apart....

[Dark Donnie]

Why exactly?:huh:


For the Lakers fans out there hurt by this loss, let me put it this way to soften the blow. The Celtics had to make history to beat your team last night.:o:csad:

Im not really sure, im from the Philly area so as a Sixers fan we always generally dislike the Celtics cause of the rivalry. Also he seems to put on alot of theatrics of late.

[The_Mighty_Thor]

For the Lakers fans out there hurt by this loss, let me put it this way to soften the blow. The Celtics had to make history to beat your team last night.:o:csad:


Yeah but the Lakers had to make history to lose last night.:woot:

[Darthphere]

Yeah but the Lakers had to make history to lose last night.:woot:

SILENCE! I'm trying to make these kids feel better.:cmad:

[omid17]

Lamar started off so damn good, Ariza swished a three, Farmar hitting a three at the buzzer, even Jeff Van Gundy said it's 2-2 in the first quarter, who would of expected all that to happen in the second half :csad::o

[Docker2.0]

Kobe reverted back to his old ways. :o I'm glad he lost though. I'm hoping he don't win shhh after how Shaq was treated. Now HOPEFULLY he'd know how to treat and appreciate another great player.

[Pickle-El]

Lamar started off so damn good, Ariza swished a three, Farmar hitting a three at the buzzer, even Jeff Van Gundy said it's 2-2 in the first quarter, who would of expected all that to happen in the second half :csad::o

Kobe came out looking for shots in the 2nd half and the offense just stood still when he dribbled instead of continuing the passing. It's like Kobe said, 'They got theirs, now I gotta get mine.....I'm Kobe.'

Just listen to the postgame, 'I had 3-4 guys on me everytime I touched the ball.'

That tells you everything about the Lakers passing game in the 2nd half.

[Ben Urich]

Britt Robson of The Rake, who covers the NBA better than just about anybody, wrote the following passage about Kobe Bryant following in his "Three Pointer" rundown of Game 4: (http://www.rakemag.com/blogs/ball/2008/06/the-three-pointer-as-good-as-over)
* Kobe Bryant--The Black Mamba. The crunchtime assassin, best closer in the NBA, able to make the big shot when it matters most. With Kobe in the lineup, LA can always stop the bleeding. An all NBA Defensive First Teamer, able to lock down any perimeter player. A more mature teammate whose generosity of spirit and willingness to shoulder most of the responsibility relieves the pressure on his teammates and enables them to play freely and easily, knowing that Kobe always has their back. You can ball that assessment up and throw it in the trashcan.

Read the whole damn thing. Actually, just go ahead and RSS his feed. He won't ever disappoint you.

[Trainwreck2100]

Supposedly some clips from game 6 in 2002 have been removed from youtube

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/013225.html

[Silver Knight]

Amazing how last year Celtics had the worst record now they are 1 win away from the chip.

That amazes me.

[The_Mighty_Thor]

I get so sick of hearing that but at least it's an easy way of separating the band wagon fans from the real fans. The bandwagon fans keep talking about the Celts second worse record and only having 24 wins. They asked why Doc was resigned before the trades. They quote the headlines and the box scores but never seem to know anything about what went on in the games. There was a guy here on local radio talking about how big a Celtics fan he was and how big a turn around they had this year so the DJ asked him if he remembered how many points Dennis Johnson scored in the first game of the finals. His answer - 22 points:hehe:

Real fans know the Celtics never had a 100% healthy team last year. They started the season down a player and had another guy with health issues even though he was playing. They were one of the 3 top teams in the east and led the east for a good chunk of time at the beginning of the season. They had guys starting to fall to injury left and right but continued to stay at the top in the east until they got completely over run by injuries. Later in the season when a couple of their key guys returned they started winning a respectable number of games again but when they hit the point where they couldn't make the playoffs they pulled a few of those guys out of action and limited the minutes of a couple of others. The decided to go with the bench players for several reasons.

1- They got to protect guys like Pierce and Jefferson and make sure they didn't get re injured by playing to hard to soon after coming back.

2- they got to develop their younger guys against teams that were still trying to win

3- They got to see who was worth the time of working with

4- They got to show what some of their guys could do to increase interest in possible trades

5- They knew their rookies would lose most of the games and they got a better chance at a top draft spot with out throwing games.

Real fans know that Doc was resigned because the beginning of last season was a huge turn around from two seasons ago when the Celtics did suck with virtually the same team and Doc was a big part of that turn around.

Real fans know the Celtics would only have gotten better and more consistent through out the season if they stayed healthy, they would have made the playoffs last year and would have had a legitimate shat at the eastern conference title, and they know that they would have had another good year this year that would have been fun to watch.

And lastly the real fans know DJ retired in the 80's and died early last year.:o

[Mister J]

Today's introductions are nauseating. Nothing will ever beat the Bulls intros from the glory years.
Ashanti was looking pretty good. :o
Does Boston not get the memo about the start times of these games. :confused:Britt Robson of The Rake, who covers the NBA better than just about anybody, wrote the following passage about Kobe Bryant following in his "Three Pointer" rundown of Game 4: (http://www.rakemag.com/blogs/ball/2008/06/the-three-pointer-as-good-as-over)


Read the whole damn thing. Actually, just go ahead and RSS his feed. He won't ever disappoint you.

That was a damn good read; very accurate ...and entertaining.
And lastly the real fans know DJ retired in the 80's and died early last year.:o
They need to get this man in the Hall. He should have been around to see it.

[fu manchu]

good 1st quarter by the Lakers! Hopefully, they learn something from the last game.

[NewYorkSpider]

I forgot that the finals were on tonight. :o

[omid17]

Why the hell did Phil bring in Chris Mihm? he never even played in the playoffs this year, first thing he does when he gets the ball, ****ing air ball :o:cmad:

[fu manchu]

during the playoffs, i wonder why Mihm isn't in the game. now i know why..

[NewYorkSpider]

This game coming down right to the end

[Ben Urich]

League of Choke.

[Mister J]

It's amazing how no one ever feels they commit a foul. :dry:

[LastSunrise1981]

Pierce got beat up under the rim a few seconds ago and Kobe gets a call based on a ticky tack foul? Figures. Leave it to the league to try and make the series longer so they can get more money from ratings.

[LastSunrise1981]

Garnett needs to stop doing fairy tip ins and actually dunk the ball.

[Darthphere]

It's amazing how no one ever feels they commit a foul. :dry:

It's ****ing annoying at this point, and with no bias, it's a lot more prevalent on the Lakers side of the ball. If these were regular season games, people would get T'd up left and right. Rad got a T, but that's because he's Rad. Same way Perkins gets a T for a reaction yell and Kobe will cuss out the refs mom and not get anything. But yeah, it needs to stop, especially you Sasha.:o

[LastSunrise1981]

It'll never change though. Phil Jackson and Kobe can yell, swear, and throw their arms up in the air and not have a technical given to them. But any other one who does it will ultimately get a tech and if the refs are really pissed they'll eject them.

Celtics take the next one though.

Keys for the Celtics to win the next game:

1. Need to box out on the important rebounds. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen rebounds grabbed by the Lakers because the Celtics aren't boxing out. Box out Laker defenders and you'll cut down on second chance points.

2. Garnett needs to start driving to the rim in order to get a rhythm going. He also needs to stop trying to tip the ball in. Rather than tip the ball in he should throw it down with power.

[Darthphere]

It's not even the fact that they're not boxing out. They need to stop fighting each other for rebounds. There are like 3 Celtics players under the basket and they're all tipping the ball up trying to get the board. I think Ray Allen tonight almost tipped the ball in at one point fighting for the board over KG.

[Silver Knight]

Celtics will win it no doubt bout it.

[Nightmare]

Im just happy the lakers didnt let the celtics win in la. Celtics will still win the title though.

[Excel]

Man KG has been good but is just NOT clutch...I want the ball in Pauls hands.

[NewYorkSpider]

NBA Playoff Pool Standings:

1. fu manchu - 84 Points
2. WhySoSerious?? - 82 Points
3. L.A - 79 Points
4. Fran - 77 Points
5. omid17 - 73 Points
6. DBella - 71 Points
7. Bond - 70 Points
8. DarthRekal - 68 Points
... Raiden - 68 Points
10. Ghostvirus - 67 Points
11. Mister J - 66 Points
12. Docker - 62 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 57 Points
.... JaD - 57 Points
15. CrypticOne - 50 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points

[L.A.]

Damn still stuck in 3rd:(

[fu manchu]

^ i believe you are the only one who has a legitimate shot at beating me.:o

[NewYorkSpider]

L.A is the only one who can beat fu manchu. He picked the Celtics to win game 6, but must have the Lakers win in order to pick up points for picking the Celtics in 7. If that happens he wins by 3 points


If the Celtics win game 6 then JaD and Mister J will make a tremendous gain in the points. They would've picked every game right. It'll probably bump Mister J in the top 5 and JaD to around 8th.

[JaD]

Hey, was Luke Walton getting booed when he came onto the floor tonight? I wasn't sure and not listening very carefully. The camera went to Bill Walton too.

[MoPlaYa]

Celtics should take it 4-2...hopefully

[Nightmare]

L.A is the only one who can beat fu manchu. He picked the Celtics to win game 6, but must have the Lakers win in order to pick up points for picking the Celtics in 7. If that happens he wins by 3 points


If the Celtics win game 6 then JaD and Mister J will make a tremendous gain in the points. They would've picked every game right. It'll probably bump Mister J in the top 5 and JaD to around 8th.

****in ********. I was so close!! This is as rigged as the damn nba officiating! :cmad:

[JaD]

If the Celtics win game 6 then JaD and Mister J will make a tremendous gain in the points. They would've picked every game right. It'll probably bump Mister J in the top 5 and JaD to around 8th.
This pleases me :hehe:

And don't worry WSS I already paid off 2 of the refs for Game 6 to call it my way :cwink:

[Nightmare]

The refs will force a game seven for huge ratings!!

[kane9321]

It'll never change though. Phil Jackson and Kobe can yell, swear, and throw their arms up in the air and not have a technical given to them. But any other one who does it will ultimately get a tech and if the refs are really pissed they'll eject them.

Celtics take the next one though.

Keys for the Celtics to win the next game:

1. Need to box out on the important rebounds. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen rebounds grabbed by the Lakers because the Celtics aren't boxing out. Box out Laker defenders and you'll cut down on second chance points.

2. Garnett needs to start driving to the rim in order to get a rhythm going. He also needs to stop trying to tip the ball in. Rather than tip the ball in he should throw it down with power.


I'm sick of these damned kobe phil loving refs...Boston next game

[Raiden]

I'm very happy for Lakers win last night, but I wish they had been able to do what they did at Game 5 on Game 4, and not lose when they built a sizable lead (I'm still not over the loss of Game 4), and they won't have been in this 3-2 deficit and having to face Celtics for the last two must-win games. I know that other teams who were down 3-1 had failed to stage a successful comeback, but I hope Lakers will be the one to do it (and records are meant to be broken, anyway). Heck, if the Red Sox did it against my Yanks in that ALCS series a few years back, I think Lakers have a shot also. Lakers have shown that they can score against Celtics, but they have to play good defense if they want to win this series.

[omid17]

I'm very happy for Lakers win last night, but I wish they had been able to do what they did at Game 5 on Game 4, and not lose when they built a sizable lead (I'm still not over the loss of Game 4), and they won't have been in this 3-2 deficit and having to face Celtics for the last two must-win games. I know that other teams who were down 3-1 had failed to stage a successful comeback, but I hope Lakers will be the one to do it (and records are meant to be broken, anyway). Heck, if the Red Sox did it against my Yanks in that ALCS series a few years back, I think Lakers have a shot also. Lakers have shown that they can score against Celtics, but they have to play good defense if they want to win this series.:up:

[Ben Urich]

Hey, was Luke Walton getting booed when he came onto the floor tonight? I wasn't sure and not listening very carefully. The camera went to Bill Walton too.

The fans were yelling "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!" like Red Sox fans do for Kevin Youkilis ("Yoooooooooooooooooouk!")

[Ben Urich]

Yankees fans for Mike Mussina ("Moooooooooooooooooooose!")

I could go on. :o

[The_Mighty_Thor]

The local radio guys are trying to get everyone to chant Gas-hole whenever Gasol touches the ball in the next game:hehe:




Ray Allen left early Sunday due to one of his kids being sick. The rumor is that it's diabetes related. What crappy news to get on fathers day. Hopefully everything is ok and he's there and ready to play tomorrow night.

[Nightmare]

Gas Hole? nice. Better than "beat la" chants.

[Ben Urich]

Henry Abbott's source says Allen will probably play in Game 6.

Check this link (http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html) tomorrow morning to see which officiating crew the NBA has tabbed to call the game. If Steve Javie's name appears on that list, conspiracy theorists will have a field-day because Javie ranks 59th out of 62 referees in calling fouls against the home team (http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nba/statistics/2007-2008/referee_ats.html&t=0).

[MoPlaYa]

Celtics FTW tuesday...woot!!!

[Nightmare]

Stern wants a game 7, refs will force it

[Darthphere]

The Celtics arrived in Boston 15 minutes ago. Their plane was grounded all day. I smell conspiracy!

[BlackLantern]

its been horrid weather here in the northeast all day....so unless Stern can control the weather....

[JaD]

Stern wants a game 7, refs will force it
Stop it. :oldrazz:
The Celtics arrived in Boston 15 minutes ago. Their plane was grounded all day. I smell conspiracy!
I do! :hehe:

[Docker2.0]

Didn't the Spurs have problems with their bus against the Lakers also?

[Darthphere]

its been horrid weather here in the northeast all day....so unless Stern can control the weather....

You call into question his powah!:cmad:

[NewYorkSpider]

Portland Trail Blazers will win the NBA Championship next season. Stern wants Greg Oden to be the next big star. :whatever:

[Ben Urich]

Stern wants a game 7, refs will force it

Why would the refs help Stern out? They hate him. :huh::huh:

[Darthphere]

$$$$$$$$$$$

[Immortalfire]

The well pump at my office failed yesterday. I blame Stern.

[louiebling$]

this is all i got to say about tonight
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a168/CherrieSilk/LAsUCKS.jpg

[louiebling$]

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee240/enilav/a_gasol_195.jpghttp://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/thizzkid707/surfs-up-1.jpg

definetly look alikes

[Ghostvirus]

LETS GET A GAME SEVEN TONIGHT!!! YEAH!!! *SMACKS REKAL*:cmad:

[LastSunrise1981]

Source: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/19960219.html


LOS ANGELES - Dick Bavetta, the referee who worked one of the games Tim Donaghy alleged was rigged, officiated Game 5 of the NBA finals on Sunday night.

Bavetta worked Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge free-throw advantage in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings and even a series they eventually won.

Donaghy, who has pleaded guilty to betting on games he officiated and taking cash payments from gamblers, alleged in a court filing this week that the NBA had two "company men" work that game and make calls that would help the Lakers win and set up a Game 7.

NBA commissioner David Stern later confirmed that the federal investigation into Donaghy included questions about Bavetta.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league did not consider pulling Bavetta, in his 33rd season as an NBA referee, off the game in light of this week's events. Bavetta has worked more than 20 NBA finals games.

Scott Foster and Ken Mauer worked with Bavetta on Sunday, when the Boston Celtics hoped to clinch the series. Bavetta and Foster also were part of the Game 1 crew in Boston.

[L.A.]

L.A is the only one who can beat fu manchu. He picked the Celtics to win game 6, but must have the Lakers win in order to pick up points for picking the Celtics in 7. If that happens he wins by 3 points
So the lakers got to win tonight in order for me to win the pool???!!!:csad:

[The_Mighty_Thor]

Perkins is expected to play tonight, Hopefully Ray Allen will to so we can close this thing out and get to celebrating.

[TheComicbookKid]

Man I hope the Celtics don't drag this out. My heart can't take it.

[The_Mighty_Thor]

Now they're saying Ray is here and will play tonight.:woot:

[Nightmare]

Didn't the Spurs have problems with their bus against the Lakers also?

Yup, the nuggets did too when there bus starting smoking out and had to be stopped on the freeway.

Perkins is expected to play tonight, Hopefully Ray Allen will to so we can close this thing out and get to celebrating.

:hehe:

[NewYorkSpider]

So the lakers got to win tonight in order for me to win the pool???!!!:csad:

Yes. Start praying.

[Mister J]

Courtesy of Bill Simmons.
THE "GODFATHER III" AWARD FOR "GREATEST MISSED OPPORTUNITY"
To the dummies working game presentation for Lakers games (by the way, for all the money they're raking in for tickets, it's hard to fathom how the Lakers could have inferior game presentation to the Clippers) for missing one of the easiest layups in the history of the NBA: During Game 5, with die-hard Lakers fan Denzel Washington in the house, how could they NOT show Denzel hitting the first four points on Ray Allen in their classic basketball game at the end of "He Got Game," followed by a shot of a grinning Denzel in the stands and Allen pretending not to be pissed off on the Celtics' bench? Oh, that wouldn't have gotten the crowd fired up?

(Speaking of Denzel, does anyone else think he should have dressed up like Papa Shuttlesworth for Game 5 just to mess with Ray's head? He could have worn a fake afro, the red and black Nike outfit and the electronic tracking bracelet on his right sneaker, then sat between Chasey Lain and Jill Kelly. You can't tell me Allen wouldn't have been a little freaked out.)
These things really needed to happen sometime between Games 3-5. We all missed out here, people.

[NewYorkSpider]

Game. Over.

[Mister J]

Umm ...Boston is beating that ass.

[The Game]

Keep it up Celtics only 2 quarters eft, stomp em out

[louiebling$]

yep celtics are whoopin that ass

[Docker2.0]

I wouldn't say game over though. Both teams have come back from huge leads in 4 out of 5 games. Plus with the refs on the Lakers side, anything is possible. :o

[NewYorkSpider]

If the Lakers come back from this, it'll be the greatest comeback that I've EVER seen.

[Docker2.0]

Go Knicks! :)


Seriously, I thought Kobe was better than this. He is choking big time. He's the one player who can put on a Jordan-like show but hasn't done it. He really does need Shaq.

[ih8nyy]

The Lakers and my Dog have something in common.

They both roll over and play dead.

[ih8nyy]

Go Knicks! :)


Seriously, I thought Kobe was better than this. He is choking big time. He's the one player who can put on a Jordan-like show but hasn't done it. He really does need Shaq.


The Kobe/Jordan comparisons need to stop right now.

He is no Michael Jordon and he never will be. He can't carry MJ's jock. hell he couldn't even carry MJ's golf clubs.

[Showtime]

Wow...

[NewYorkSpider]

Go Knicks! :)


Seriously, I thought Kobe was better than this. He is choking big time. He's the one player who can put on a Jordan-like show but hasn't done it. He really does need Shaq.


What's all this talk about Kobe needing Shaq? :huh: Sure, Shaq would make the Lakers a better team, but Kobe got all the way to the Finals without him. The Celtics are just the better team.

[ih8nyy]

Wow...

The Garden sounds like the days of old!

[ih8nyy]

What's all this talk about Kobe needing Shaq? :huh: Sure, Shaq would make the Lakers a better team, but Kobe got all the way to the Finals without him. The Celtics are just the better team.

He needs the entire Celtics team to pull a Len Bias. That's what he needs.

[Mister J]

The Kobe/Jordan comparisons need to stop right now.

He is no Michael Jordon and he never will be. He can't carry MJ's jock. hell he couldn't even carry MJ's golf clubs.
:hehe:

I've had enough of this MJ nonsense myself. That comparison never needs to be made again.

[JaD]

Hey J, did you order the champagne for us calling the series? :cool:

[JaD]

Ray Allen, (after hitting another 3 pointer):

"That was, cold bloooodddeeedddd!!"

[Mister J]

'Bout time I called one of these things right. :up:

[ih8nyy]

Hey J, did you order the champagne for us calling the series? :cool:


Crack it open. I think I hear the fat lady warming up.

[ih8nyy]

Ray Allen, (after hitting another 3 pointer):

"That was, cold bloooodddeeedddd!!"


This is as loud as the old garden was.

[JaD]

'Bout time I called one of these things right. :up:
Indeed.

Same here :cool: *clings glass*

[JaD]

My goodness, you simply cannot touch Boston on their home floor this season :wow:

[ih8nyy]

My goodness, you simply cannot touch Boston on their home floor this season :wow:


Like the Sox at Fenway. It's all good when you've got home cookin!

[Docker2.0]

He's compared to Jordan cuase of the similarities of their game and competitive nature,not for no other reasons. I'm by far a Kobe hater to the extreme but ever I have to admit he's the closest thing to Jordan in the league. :whatever:

[Docker2.0]

At least LA(NOFX) loses. I get some joy after today even though I like Garnett. :up:

[ih8nyy]

He's compared to Jordan cuase of the similarities of their game and competitive nature,not for no other reasons. I'm by far a Kobe hater to the extreme but ever I have to admit he's the closest thing to Jordan in the league. :whatever:


Bron Bron has a better all around game. He's a beast.

[louiebling$]

Its Ovvverrrrrrrrrrrrr

[The Game]

Congrats Cetics, you guys have earned this

[ih8nyy]

This is an arse kicking if I have ever seen one.

What a waste of jet fuel. Two cross country trips in a little over 24 hours. The Lakers should be ashamed.

[Docker2.0]

LOL! They have to keep beeping it out cuase of Garnett's cussing! :hehe:


Lakers suck! *waiting on Darthrekal tirade* :hehe:

[The Game]

LOL @ Mike Bivins celebrating like he is a part of the team

[LastSunrise1981]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Congrats to Boston. While my team didn't make it to the championships this year I'm very happy for Boston and their franchise. They earned this victory and I'm happy to see KG, Allen, and Pierce get their first ring.

Now the bandwagon Laker fans will be backstabbed by Kobe again after this game and he will demand to be traded.

[Crook]

:funny: @ the bleeping because of Garnett and Pierce's cursing

:funny: @ the crushing alley-oop when they're up 40

:funny: @ Kobe

[Mister J]

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a real live asswhipping.

[ih8nyy]

:funny: @ the bleeping because of Garnett and Pierce's cursing

:funny: @ the crushing alley-oop when they're up 40

:funny: @ Kobe


*BLEEP* Yeah!

[NewYorkSpider]

NBA Playoff Pool Final Standings:

1. fu manchu - 84 Points (Winner!)
2. WhySoSerious?? - 82 Points
3. L.A - 81 Points
4. Mister J - 78 Points (Picked the NBA Finals correctly)
5. Fran - 77 Points
6. omid17 - 73 Points
7. DBella - 71 Points
8. Bond - 70 Points
9. JaD - 69 Points (Picked the NBA Finals correctly)
10. Raiden - 68 Points
.... DarthRekal - 68 Points
12. Ghostvirus - 67 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 65 Points (Picked Celtics in 6)
14. Docker - 64 Points
15. CrypticOne - 50 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points

fu manchu won the pool, so he gets to make the 08-09 NBA thread. Congrats!

[ih8nyy]

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a real live asswhipping.

They should call social services, cause this is down right abuse!

[louiebling$]

40 points whooooooooooooo that's wat I'm talkin bout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[12 Bladez]

Congrats to the Cs. See you next year again hopefully.

- Laker fan

[NewYorkSpider]

Congrats to the Celtics. Well deserved victory. Doc Rivers is an outstanding coach. KG, Pierce and Allen tremendous atheletes. I didn't want them to win cause my friend jumped on their bandwagon. He was a 76ers fan a year ago. http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/smilies/icon13.gif

[LastSunrise1981]

TAKE THAT LAKER LAND! GO BACK TO SMOG LAND WHERE YOU BELONG!

WOOOOO!!!!

Very happy to see Boston win it this time over the Lakers. The Lakers didn't deserve this championship or any of the success they've experienced this year.

Garnett is breaking down right now. What an emotional moment for him. If anyone deserves all the praise and recognition it's him.

[The Game]

Im so happy for KG, what a feeling the first chip must give you

[louiebling$]

Celtics Deserve This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Docker2.0]

:( Garnett is crying. He deserved this championship. :up:

Kobe's crying to. He deserved this asswhooping. :up:

[Mister J]

KG is cutting up in the postgame. :funny: :up:

I'm glad to see him get a ring.

[louiebling$]

so am i... KG earned it

[Crook]

Who is that girl that Pierce is next to?! :eek:

[LastSunrise1981]

They started booing David $tern when he came up to present the trophy and nobody deserves it more than him. Either way this is a great moment in basketball history because the right team won it.

I choked up a little bit just seeing Garnett cry.

[Showtime]

The Garden sounds like the days of old!

They completely stomped on the Lakers tonight and the Garden was shaking.

[Dodger]

Congrats to the Celtics. You guys earned it.


:(...I'm sorry this lost is just hard to take.

But still, I'd like to congratulate the C's once again. Bang up job yo.

[Docker2.0]

Stern is booed every year. :huh:

[NewYorkSpider]

NBA Playoff Pool Final Standings:

1. fu manchu - 84 Points (Winner!)
2. WhySoSerious?? - 82 Points
3. L.A - 81 Points
4. Mister J - 78 Points (Picked the NBA Finals correctly)
5. Fran - 77 Points
6. omid17 - 73 Points
7. DBella - 71 Points
8. Bond - 70 Points
9. JaD - 69 Points (Picked the NBA Finals correctly)
10. Raiden - 68 Points
.... DarthRekal - 68 Points
12. Ghostvirus - 67 Points
13. NewYorkSpider - 65 Points (Picked Celtics in 6)
14. Docker - 64 Points
15. CrypticOne - 50 Points
16. LastSunrise - 43 Points

fu manchu won the pool, so he gets to make the 08-09 NBA thread. Congrats!


...

[Mister J]

A year ago, if someone had told me that Doc Rivers would be the coach of the NBA Champions, I probably would have taken a swing at them.

[LastSunrise1981]

Predictions: Kobe will demand to be traded and Phil Jackson will write another book saying Kobe is still uncoachable.

The East seems to be on par with the West as far as being contenders is concerned. As much as I hate to say it, and while I believe in my team, they're going to have their hands full with a healthy New Orleans, Phoenix, and Portland next year looking to once again make a push.

As a believer I'd like to say it'll come down to Dallas/New Orleans for the WCF next year. :cwink:

[BlackLantern]

I was not aware the Celtics were playing a girls HS team tonight....I kid, I kid....I just did not expect a game such as this in the Finals