2009 NBA Playoffs

[HD MM]

Conference Finals Predictions:

Cavs over Magic in 5......I'll give the Magic one game due to it's quirky nature and 3 point game.

Nuggets over Lakers in 6....This is more anti-LA than pro-Denver, Odom has done his usual playoff dissapearance, Gasol is soft and Bynum not the same since his return.

Love the optimism my friend.

I'm nervous about tonight though. More like pre-game jitters. The Cavs have been off for 9 days. I expect them to be a little rusty to start. If there was ever a game for the Magic to steal on the road, tonight's the night.

Can't wait for tip-off! I can hardly contain myself actually!

 

[HD MM]

Lakers hold off Denver 105-103 in a GREAT game to open these West Finals.

Anders, you've been calling out the Lakers for being soft. If thet were as soft as you claim they are, they would have rolled over when Denver had a big lead early in the game.

Soft teams don't come back from deficits time after time, as well as make big steals late in the game against a team that is lethal from three-point range.

I'd love to see Denver win, but it will NOT be easy.

If this is what it'll be like for the rest of the series- I'm all for it. This has all the makings of a classic series.

Despite the score, I still thought the Nuggets out-played the Lakers. The Nuggets lost because they missed 12 free-throws and were a measly 65% from the charity stripe. That is awful and completely unacceptable for a playoff team. Conversely, Kobe hit 6 foul shots down the stretch to seal the deal and the Lakers won by 2.

 

[salsadancer7]

Despite the score, I still thought the Nuggets out-played the Lakers. The Nuggets lost because they missed 12 free-throws and were a measly 65% from the charity stripe. That is awful and completely unacceptable for a playoff team. Conversely, Kobe hit 6 foul shots down the stretch to seal the deal and the Lakers won by 2.

This is funny statement. IF they had really out played the Lakers....they would have won. Maybe, the Nuggets were rusty? ALOT of that roster has never been this far in the playoffs....maybe a tad stage fright? And maybe, they are not good enough? And championship teams ALWAYS find a way to win games that maybe they had no business winning....Tell me, IF the Lakers had put in the same effort as Denver, and lost....would some be calling them "quitters"?

Some people are never satisfied.....LOL!

 

[Rey]

Bzzzzzz. Wrong.

The Clippers win the Blake Griffen sweepstakes, while the Kings drop all the way to #4.

lmao

 

[HD MM]

This is funny statement. IF they had really out played the Lakers....they would have won. Maybe, the Nuggets were rusty? ALOT of that roster has never been this far in the playoffs....maybe a tad stage fright? And maybe, they are not good enough? And championship teams ALWAYS find a way to win games that maybe they had no business winning....Tell me, IF the Lakers had put in the same effort as Denver, and lost....would some be calling them "quitters"?

Some people are never satisfied.....LOL!

A wins a win and a loss is a loss. I agree. No disrespect to the Lakers.

HOWEVER, this game was decided by 2 points. I'm simply pointing out that shooting a better free-throw percentage might have resulted in a different outcome. BTW, did you watch the game? IMO, Denver was in control for most of the way. But as you say, in the end the Superstar stepped up. Kobe is a closer. In the playoffs, you need that Superstar to close out games.

 

[Rey]

i agree. denver was in control most of the way and at the end there it looked like they would pull it off when billups hits that 3. like you said they were missing free throws left and right. even billups missed his 1st 3 attempts after only missing 3 free throws in the entire previous series.

 

[salsadancer7]

i agree. denver was in control most of the way and at the end there it looked like they would pull it off when billups hits that 3. like you said they were missing free throws left and right. even billups missed his 1st 3 attempts after only missing 3 free throws in the entire previous series.

But guys....that is PART OF THE GAME. Championship teams hit those. Championship teams find a way to win those games.

I onced heard Michael Irving say, "GREAT teams win the ones they are supposed to and STEAL ones they should not.....!"

 

[Rey]

But guys....that is PART OF THE GAME. Championship teams hit those. Championship teams find a way to win those games.

I onced heard Michael Irving say, "GREAT teams win the ones they are supposed to and STEAL ones they should not.....!"

I hear ya. one thing that was confirmed to us last night is that denver can hang with the lakers for 4 quarters. in other words if the lakers want to win this one they're going to have to put it all out on the court. denver made it extremely difficult for kobe to the point he lost it. can he handle this for 5 to 7 games if needed? maybe not........ i don't remember the last time i saw kobe sweat sooo much

 

[HD MM]

But guys....that is PART OF THE GAME. Championship teams hit those. Championship teams find a way to win those games.

I onced heard Michael Irving say, "GREAT teams win the ones they are supposed to and STEAL ones they should not.....!"

Slow down fella. It's 1 game in a series of 7. No one should be crowning anyone yet.

BTW, I did pick LA to win in 6, but I was impressed with Denver last night despite the loss.

 

[salsadancer7]

Slow down fella. It's 1 game in a series of 7. No one should be crowning anyone yet.

BTW, I did pick LA to win in 6, but I was impressed with Denver last night despite the loss.

Geez....relax. We are talking about teams in the past. TEAM that of championship caliber will hit those free throws when they have the chance...

 

[HD MM]

Fans Need to Keep the Faith as Cavs Face Next Test

Cleveland Cavaliers fans, check your heartbeat, keep your favorite stomach medicine nearby. Be ready for long, wild nights watching your favorite team followed by bleary-eyed mornings that come too quick.

The real playoffs begin when your team steps on the Quicken Loans Arena floor Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic. This is the NBA's Eastern Conference finals, and it probably is a series the Cavs won't need a broom as they did while sweeping away Detroit and Atlanta in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Orlando is the kind of team the Cavs must beat if they are to make history.

Cleveland fans know the history: The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. Jose Mesa.

Please, pass the aspirin right now, the heads of local sports fans are about to explode!

Excellent article by The Plain Dealer's Tony Pluto...

Fans need to keep faith as Cavs face next test - Cleveland, OH Sports Blog | Terry's Talkin' Sports - cleveland.com

 

[Rey]

can't wait till tonight HDMM!!!!! :clap

 

[HD MM]

Advanced Warning to all of my Friends Here in the Sports Forum

*Satellite Guys & Girls, may I please have your attention. This is a public service announcement:

Please have patience with me over these next few weeks and upcoming month. I am going to be an emotional wreck. This is your warning....

Skyhi, myself and other die-hard Cleveland Sports fans are about to enter the next stage in the NBA Playoffs. One step closer to achieving the ultimate goal of any team, fan-base or city.

Too long has this city been on the wrong end to the ultimate drama that is Sports. The Drive, The Shot, The Fumble, Red-Right 88, The Mesa, etc.... Yet, this year something seems different. Our Cleveland Cavaliers had the best regular season record in the NBA. Our team is led by the Coach of the Year and League MVP. We've swept the first 2 playoff opponents and are 1 series away from reaching the NBA Finals and are fighting for our ultimate goal of glory.

In this next round against Orlando, things will certainly get tougher and more intense. No one ever said it was going to be easy, and hot damn they were right! Over the course of the next week or so, I'll be diverting most of my attention and emotions towards my Cleveland Cavaliers. If I overreact with each win or loss, please understand. I've never seen a Championship in my city. It's hard for me to even think of the possibility actually. The last time this city has had a Championship was in 1964, before I was born.

We're close, but we aren't there yet. I know this far too well. All I ask is that for all who support the little guy and underdog, please root for this city to come out on top. This sleepy 'ol city needs every bit of support it can get.

Go Cavs! One Goal! Don't Stop Believing! Let's Get it On!!!!!!!

PS, where's the pepto? I'm getting queezy.

 

[salsadancer7]

Excellent article by The Plain Dealer's Tony Pluto...

Fans need to keep faith as Cavs face next test - Cleveland, OH Sports Blog | Terry's Talkin' Sports - cleveland.com

Great article....:up

 

[SandraC]

*Satellite Guys & Girls, may I please have your attention. This is a public service announcement:

Please have patience with me over these next few weeks and upcoming month. I am going to be an emotional wreck. This is your warning....

Skyhi, myself and other die-hard Cleveland Sports fans are about to enter the next stage in the NBA Playoffs. One step closer to achieving the ultimate goal of any team, fan-base or city.

Too long has this city been on the wrong end to the ultimate drama that is Sports. The Drive, The Shot, The Fumble, Red-Right 88, The Mesa, etc.... Yet, this year something seems different. Our Cleveland Cavaliers had the best regular season record in the NBA. Our team is led by the Coach of the Year and League MVP. We've swept the first 2 playoff opponents and are 1 series away from reaching the NBA Finals and are fighting for our ultimate goal of glory.

In this next round against Orlando, things will certainly get tougher and more intense. No one every said it was going to be easy, and hot damn they were right! Over the course of the next week or so, I'll be diverting most of my attention and emotions towards my Cleveland Cavaliers. If I overreact with each win or loss, please understand. I've never seen a Championship in my city. It's hard for me to even think of the possibility actually. The last time this city has had a Championship was in 1964, before I was born.

We're close, but we aren't there yet. I know this far too well. All I ask is that for all who support the little guy and underdog, please root for this city to come out on top. This sleepy 'ol city needs every bit of support it can get.

Go Cavs! One Goal! Don't Stop Believing! Let's Get it On!!!!!!!

PS, where's the pepto? I'm getting queezy.

Good luck HD, I don't see the Magic as a threat this year. Not enough options on offense. Keep Dwight Howard off the offensive glass, and he won't be a threat either.

Truth be told, the 'underdog city' is not the underdog in this series, so be careful of what you ask for.

They are the overwhelming favorites, especially with no Jameer Nelson.


Sandra

 

[CharlesO]

One thing to point out about the Nuggets....the 3 games they have lost so far in the playoffs were by a total of 6 points(2 points in each game). That shows they are out to win every game and this wont affect them.

 

[HD MM]

Here is my assesment:

PG: Rafer Alston vs. Mo Williams.
SG: JJ Reddick vs. Delonte West.
SF: Lebron James vs. Hedo Turkoglu.
PF: Rashard Lewis vs. Anderson Varejao
CENTER: Dwight Howard vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

To take it a step further Salsa, I disagree with some of your individual matchups. I don't think the head-to-head pairings will be as you laid them out. Here's how I see it:

Reddick vs. Mo Williams (Advantage Cavs)
Delonte vs. Rafer Alston (Advantage Cavs)
LeBron vs. Rashard Lewis (Advantage Cavs)
Varajao vs. Turkaglu (Slight Advantage Magic, Andy is going to frustrate the hell out of the Turk though)
Big Z vs. Howard (Advantage Magic)

Ok Salsa boy. Let me explain my matchups and why I chose them. To be perfectly honest, it'll be interesting to see how the coaches decide to pair who vs. who. I think my matchups make more sense and here's why....

Of the two Magic guards, I fear Reddick the least. That's why I put our less talented guard defender on him. Not saying Mo's a slouch, but I am saying D-West is a way better defender. This is why I chose Delonte to guard Rafer Alston.

LeBron on Rashard Lewis only makes sense to me. Besides Dwight Howard, Lewis is the Magics most athletic player. It only makes perfect sense to put our most physically gifted player (LeBron) on him.

As for Turkaglu, he's long, lanky and a bit uncoordinated. Why not put the other long and awkward white guy on him in Anderson Varajao (aka Wild Thing)?

Then we have the center position. Z vs. Dwight Howard. Z has the height, but unfortunately doesn't have the strength to guard Howard. This is our one mismatch.

As for the other matchups, I feel rather good about if Coach Brown follows my reasonings.

 

[anders5189]

One thing to point out about the Nuggets....the 3 games they have lost so far in the playoffs were by a total of 6 points(2 points in each game). That shows they are out to win every game and this wont affect them.

Ding! We have a winner. That's exactly right. Meanwhile the Lakers effort varies from game to game. If I'm Denver I'm still feeling good. What are the odds that you miss as many free throws in the next game? What are the odds that Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar hit clutch 3's down the stretch? The Nuggets game plan should just be rinse and repeat. Odds are next time they get the W. If so then the Lakers could be in big trouble. Denver's been great at home and the Lakers play their worst on the road.

 

[salsadancer7]

Ok Salsa boy. Let me explain my matchups and why I chose them. To be perfectly honest, it'll be interesting to see how the coaches decide to pair who vs. who. I think my matchups make more sense and here's why....

Of the two Magic guards, I fear Reddick the least. That's why I put our less talented guard defender on him. Not saying Mo's a slouch, but I am saying D-West is a way better defender. This is why I chose Delonte to guard Rafer Alston.

LeBron on Rashard Lewis only makes sense to me. Besides Dwight Howard, Lewis is the Magics most athletic player. It only makes perfect sense to put our most physically gifted player (LeBron) on him.

As for Turkaglu, he's long, lanky and a bit uncoordinated. Why not put the other long and awkward white guy on him in Anderson Varajao (aka Wild Thing)?

Then we have the center position. Z vs. Dwight Howard. Z has the height, but unfortunately doesn't have the strength to guard Howard. This is our one mismatch.

As for the other matchups, I feel rather good about if Coach Brown follows my reasonings.

WHY would the Cavs put their BEST defensive player on a guy that does not touch the ball as much as Hedu??!! And a guy that plays power forward at that?

Like I said, the Magic do not run the traditional PG brings the ball and sets his teammates up. And from what I have seen, neither does the Cavs. The ball goes through their SF....Hedu and Lebron respectively. The two guards play more like 2 SG than the traditional PG and SG. TO ME, they will put their 2nd best defender on Rafer because he also thinks more as a shooter, and there for since the Magic uses a "point forward"...Delonte would be the obvious choice because Rafer will be going through all types of picks and rolls to find his shot.

 

[HD MM]

WHY would the Cavs put their BEST defensive player on a guy that does not touch the ball as much as Hedu??!! And a guy that plays power forward at that?
Like I said, the Magic do not run the traditional PG brings the ball and sets his teammates up. And from what I have seen, neither does the Cavs. The ball goes through their SF....Hedu and Lebron respectively. The two guards play more like 2 SG than the traditional PG and SG. TO ME, they will put their 2nd best defender on Rafer because he also thinks more as a shooter, and there for since the Magic uses a "point forward"...Delonte would be the obvious choice because Rafer will be going through all types of picks and rolls to find his shot.

You haven't been paying much attention then. We added a traditional point guard in Mo Williams this year. For the most part, we try to run the offense through him while LeBron runs off screens without the ball.