The NBA Season is Over

by Atma Brother ONE on May 19, 2007 11:38 AM PDT in NBA

With last night's Phoenix Suns' loss in a series that was arguably decided by some silly rules by the commish and crew, the NBA season is officially over. I feel bad for the Suns' fans and NBA Nation as a whole. I do believe that the Spurs are the best team in the NBA right now and they would have beaten the Suns even if the league didn't have a vendetta against fun, but it would've been nice to find that out on the hardwood, not with some ridiculous suspensions to Amare Studamire and Boris Diaw. Aside from all 3 Spurs fans, the state of Utah, the ever evaporating population of Detroit, and the middle of nowhere Ohio, who really cares about what happens the rest of the way through?

Instead of being treated to a thrilling, throwback, fast-paced Suns-Warriors Western Conference Finals, we have to snooze through a tough, physical, ugly, and dirty battle between two boring, small market teams in the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are going to whine even more than the Jazz at the refs, yet not be censured by the media like the Warriors were this past postseason, and most likely take this series in 6 games or less. By the way, is there anyone out there that doesn't believe Tim Duncan is the best player in the NBA right now? I won't say he's fun to watch or anything, but aside from his free throw shooting, his game is virtually flawless. Duncan dominates the game on both sides of the floor- something supposed MVP's Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki have never done, nor never will do.

Over in the Eastern Conference Finals we are unfortunately about to see a Detroit Pistons team, home to some of the most violent and classless fans in the league (despite having two great blogs in Need4Sheed and Detroit Bad Boys), knock off a mediocre Cleveland Cavaliers team in 6 or less. The funny thing is that the Leastern Conference's best Pistons would probably be second round fodder in the mighty West, while the mediocre Cavs would be lucky to even make the playoffs and be a first round knockout. Aside from the solid Pistons and the Heat (when healthy), the disparity between the two conferences is pretty embarrassing.

The NBA's TV ratings are about to tank and it's sad to see this doomsday for such a wonderful and entertaining sports league. This past season was highlighted by the regular season brilliance of the Dallas Mavericks, the usual run and gun Phoenix Suns, and the shock the world Warriors. Sadly, none of these 3 teams will be around late May and June. As a longtime NBA fan I feel robbed- robbed like the Pacers by the Warriors in that 8 player blockbuster deal.

As much of a hoops junkie as I am, I honestly don't think I'll even be paying attention to the rest of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. We all know we're in store for another unwatchable snoozefest NBA Finals with the San Antonio Snores and the Detroit Pissedtons. I'm thinking the Pistons will probably take it 7 (they had an easy path to the finals, while the Spurs have a much tougher and draining road) and avenge their collapse last season after that amazing regular season run

Mark your calendars for May 22nd for the NBA Draft Lottery and June 28th for the 2007 NBA Draft. Until then keep hitting the snooze button.

Another FANtastic season is unfortunately over.

Looking on the bright side (and it's not very bright), there's two storylines that will keep my room temperature warm interest for the rest of the NBA Playoffs:

Will CDubb CRing? I know there's a lot of resentment towards Chris Webber from Warriors Nation and around the league, but CWebb deserves an NBA Championship. People need to see the feud with Don Nelson over 13 years ago as a conflict between a young, still-growing 20 year old kid and a cranky grown man that used to be very, very tough on his players especially rooks. It's long over and everyone has moved on. If anything Don Nelson (and I'm one of his biggest fans) should've been the bigger man back then and worked things out with the kid. People need to stop seeing Webber as a cry baby that choked in the clutch against UNC and view him as a very intelligent man with extremely high hoops IQ, phenomenal passing, rebounding, and scoring ability, and a tough guy that recovered from a potenitally career ending knee injury. Don't forget Webber was an MVP-level player just a few short years ago. I hate to see the Pistons win another championship especially after that brawl, but I'm pulling for CWebb to get a much deserved ring.
Will we all be witnesses? Sure, Lebron's Cavs are painfully mediocre and are only in a Conference Finals series because the East is just that bad, but it's still amazing that an NBA team led by a unworldly 22 year old is this deep in the playoffs. Can this young man and his squad upset the Pistons and a painfully dull Western Conference foe? Provided Lebron can escape the tiny market Cleveland Cavaliers sometime in his career, he's definitely going to win a few rings when it's all said and done, but will we witness this in 2007?

What percentage of the remaining NBA Playoffs will you watch now that we're left with the Spurs, Jazz, Pistons, and Cavs in the final four?

Also check out the poll Is the NBA Season Over? over at Ballhype.

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Comments

yuck

i will watch exactly 0% of the remaining playoff games. the spurs, jazz and pistons are all boring and the cavs are pretty average.

by AJC3317 on May 19, 2007 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

wow for the first time

I fully agree with you. Not the first, but first time in a while. Thank you for posting some good opinions and backing them with very valid points. It's very refreshing to see good consciousness on the blog. 1 dub.

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on May 19, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks

But this blog is and always will be conscious. I'd really hate for people to get the wrong idea.

I have to say I found it pretty strange how you were so quiet when we pointed out the stereotypical portrayal of the Warriors on another NBA blog and DJ Fuzzylogic dropped some science in that Q&A with Utah Jazz Blog.net. Seems like stuff a "conscious" person would have some thoughts on.

by Atma Brother ONE on May 19, 2007 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Knock it off, you two

;-)

by Sleepy Freud on May 19, 2007 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry

this isn't my blog and i don't read every post and every diary. but just take the compliment atma, geez, stop being so paranoid about what i think.

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on May 20, 2007 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Geez

Just sick of you posting false accusations, misleading people, and always looking to take shots at people here.

If you don't read every post as you claim then why imply that this blog isn't conscious? Do your HW before criticizing.

by Atma Brother ONE on May 20, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

OMG

You are like out of your mind right do you know that? Do you know how bad you look right now? I said I FULLY AGREED with you... and I said I appreciated the consciousness in the post! Take it for what it is! We all have a right to voice opionions and make accusations because this is a blog! This is a fan blog for discussion, not the Atma controls Warrior fans site! I did not attack you or accuse you of anything other than perhaps indirectly suggest that I prefer more consciousness than I saw. You got serious issues man, coming on here and being so defensive about every comment I make and then turning around and attacking me for it. I'm not changing anything, I complimented you, I enjoyed this diary, and fully agree with it as it addresses issues in the NBA and the fact that many people will stop watching the series. Again, I agree, now please, relax and go to your next post ok? 1 Dub.

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on May 20, 2007 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

um..

what you think you wrote isn't what you actually said.

by dj fuzzylogic on May 20, 2007 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh my

I love how you always play the victim and accuse people of doing exactly what you yourself do.

I did not attack you or accuse you of anything other than perhaps indirectly suggest that I prefer more consciousness than I saw

Exactly. Don't try to act like you didn't make a criticism. You implied that this blog isn't conscious which you've explicitly stated numerous times. If you hold that view, back it up instead of lobbing condescending "thank you's".

This is a fan blog for discussion, not the Atma controls Warrior fans site!

I think I'm going to start a running count of every inaccurate, ridiculous shot you take at this blog.

I could honestly care less about what you think, but I do care that you continually post silly accusations and mislead people on this blog about the thought processes and mentality of the writers on this site. That's just wrong.

by Atma Brother ONE on May 20, 2007 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

snore

get ready to see grind it out, walk the ball up the court, tony parker annoying layups and travels that go uncalled, tim duncan bank shots, and ginobli flops. Why can't the Warriors be in it still?

Nellie's Schmoes

by tadams1080 on May 19, 2007 12:44 PM PDT reply actions

Snooze

But i might watch the last 5 min of the Spurs N Jazz so i can smile when i see Utah lose.

by Dopey on May 19, 2007 12:52 PM PDT reply actions

dude

i hate c-webb, and nothing will change that. he's dogged his way out of 3 teams!!!!

by Nellieball on May 19, 2007 1:02 PM PDT reply actions

agreed, he doesn't "deserve" ANYthing

While I blame Nelson for not handling the team better at the time, CWeb was a petulant primadona and I don't care if he wins a ring or not

by hardcore on May 19, 2007 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

the most interseting

part of the remaining playoffs is going to be seeing who gets away with the most shoving, pushing, grabbing, kicking, etc, in the western conference finals.
as for Webber, I still dont like him and think he is one of the biggest cry babies in the league, any time he doesnt get a call it looks like he is going to break down in tears, and doesn't seem to have a problem with going public with problems that should be dealt with internally, do you think the sixers would have bought him out if any team even had the slightest interest in him and his enormous contract?
I do think that Nellie tried all he could to keep him,first he complains about having to play center so they made to move to bring in Siekaly, not a great center by any stretch but he was a center and would have let Webber move to the 4, But than he cries about the fact that his buddy Billy O. had to be part of the trade, at the same time complaining that Nellie is too hard on him. Nellie than offered to step down as coach which was still not good enough. Webber is (was) a great player and a definite asset when things are going his way, if they are not, than not so much.

by azw on May 19, 2007 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

we

I agree that the league really made the wrong call, but I honestly feel like the Spurs gave up that series when they blew Home Court in game 4. The Suns brought it in game 5 and I think this easily would have went at least 7 in Phoenix.

"I make love to pressure." -Stephen Jackson

by coma @ Golden State Of Mind on May 19, 2007 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

If winning == boring...

I'll take it. I'd really like the 'Spurs are boring' explained. I wish the Dubs can execute half as well as the Spurs. I like SA and don't find them boring. They are deliberate for sure(among the bottom teams in number of possesions per game) but extremely efficient(unlike Detroit which is deliberate but inefficient). The Utah Jazz are similar to the Spurs, deliberate but efficient and they will have an excellent shot in the Conf finals.

Duncan & Bowen(mostly) whine after every call. But so it does seem: Nash & Stoudemire. So it seemed, the Dubz especially Jackson & Barnes.

I mean almost every NBA guy whines when on the floor.

But I think the difference I see between the Spurs & (the Suns & Mavs) is the whining to the media. I mean D'Antoni & Avery cry about officiating after every LOSS. I find Popovich never take this route ever(I thought Game 4 in this series was called the Suns way). Nellie also seems this way.

I think this is another reason that the Spurs are good. Their coach never makes excuses for their loss. I think this directly translates to the players being more accountable. And I liked the fact that Nellie did this even though calls didn't go our way at times.

I don't think Mike D'Antoni will ever win unless he gives up the blame game.

by ananthd on May 19, 2007 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

Bogus suspensions?

Hell no.

The RULE is if you come off the bench, you're suspended. They did so. As Shaq said on TNT, "If you do the crime, you do the time."

As for me, I do not like Small Ball, so I am actually looking forward to Spurs-Jazz and seeing how basketball should actually be played. Not to say that I wouldn't PREFER the Warriors in the Conf. Finals, I just want to see real basketball.

Cavs-Pistons? Also looking forward to it. Will the Cavs get their revenge for last years second round? Can the Pistons do it without Big Ben? The questions linger.

Now, to look at all possible finals matchups:

Almost any Finals matchup would have great storylines in it. Can LeBron Emulate Jordan? Have the Jazz really reloaded this fast? Tim Duncan: Too old?

So, the NBA Playoffs are FAR over for me.

With his past behind him, Adonal looks toward the future, wherever it may be....

by Zorgon on May 19, 2007 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

Good thoughts

I should add that it's not about small ball vs big ball. The Suns don't play small ball. They aren't small at all. They arguably have the best frontline in the NBA.

I used to love watching Hakeem, Ewing, and even Davis Robinson in the mid-late 90's. But there's something about these Spurs, Jazz, and Pistons teams that just puts me and most NBA fans to sleep. The TV ratings for this year's finals are going to be abysmal unless Lebron's in them. Even with him they'd probably be low.

by Atma Brother ONE on May 19, 2007 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Crap!

Grah, I put small ball again, didn't I! Yes, the Suns are big. I should've put "fast ball" or the like. Sorry on that one, you're right Atma.

As for the Spurs and Jazz, I don't know why other people sleep on them. Maybe its because of the lack of star power? The lack of a true (Tim Duncan is a PF) C?

Although, I'll admit, I hate Tony Parker. Why? There's something about his face.

If anyone is interested in TV Ratings or the like, go over to Sports Media Watch. Good blog.

With his past behind him, Adonal looks toward the future, wherever it may be....

by Zorgon on May 19, 2007 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

weeee

Yeah dude. We get it. You like boring half court basketball. Don't you dare call it "real basketball" though. You don't get to decide what's real and what's a gimmick. You don't know enough. So stop acting like the basketball guru.

"I make love to pressure." -Stephen Jackson

by coma @ Golden State Of Mind on May 19, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Who does then?

I'm no basketball guru, but I do know a bit about it. I never claim to be. I was just describing my feelings, geesh.

And who gets to decide what real basketball is? Lets appoint a committee.

With his past behind him, Adonal looks toward the future, wherever it may be....

by Zorgon on May 19, 2007 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions

weee

I'm sayin. No one does. So there's no use usin' that terminology. Disrespectful to teams that are successful playing small ball.

"I make love to pressure." -Stephen Jackson

by coma @ Golden State Of Mind on May 19, 2007 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay, fine

I agree.

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

With his past behind him, Adonal looks toward the future, wherever it may be....

by Zorgon on May 19, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Tim Duncan: too old?

Now there's a compelling storyline for you. We're talking front page of TIME. Your other two are pretty thrilling too. ;-P

Spurs/Pistons should be pretty interesting, though.

by Sleepy Freud on May 19, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey!

I find them interesting. It will be cool to see how long Tim Duncan can go at it. When I was in elementary school, I got a rookie height chart of him at a book fair. (That was before I met NBA Live 98.) It's still on my wall. When he retires, then I'll know I'm getting old :-P.

With his past behind him, Adonal looks toward the future, wherever it may be....

by Zorgon on May 19, 2007 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

If The Jazz make it past the Spurs,

do you think that they would sign Karl Malone and John Stockton to their rosters so they can get a ring? I'm sure Karl might be interested...

by ThermoElectro on May 20, 2007 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions

cavs!

i mite watch the cavs cuz drew gooden's from the bay and i kinda of want to see him say "yee!" lol. also my finals are done. the only good thing i can say about the warriors losing is that i wasn't distracted by them on thursday....tho gsom kinda distracted me... lol

NUBAYProductions
http://www.nubayproductions.com

by SinghaYadadaYeeYEE on May 19, 2007 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

meh

The season's over. I would've watched if the Suns made it past the Spurs. It's just predictable now. Not fun.

by Caught Backcourt on May 19, 2007 2:56 PM PDT reply actions

Hard for me to be objective

Since I like Steve Nash so much. I would vote for him for President, Canadianness be damned. Love his personality, love his world view, love his game. He and the Suns will be back next year, more pissed off and focused than ever, possibly with Al Horford, Corey Brewer or Yi Jianlian along for the ride. Scary.

As for David Stern ... yeah. maybe he made the "right" call, but I'm not so objective on him, either. Whenever I see him open his smarmy mouth I become a self-loathing Jew. Basically, if he were on fire, I'd stab him.

That said, the Spurs are an awesome team, and I'm definitely rooting for them to go all the way. No way I can root for a team coached by Jerry Sloan or a team beloved by Pistons fans.

by Sleepy Freud on May 19, 2007 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

Are the Nets still in it?

If so, i think I'll root for them. I like their style of play, and Kidd played for Cal, so...

by Jeremy Belvins on May 19, 2007 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

LBJ

only reason for me to watch any of the games left in these playoffs. The kid is incredible.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on May 19, 2007 11:47 PM PDT reply actions

I would watch Pistons vs Cavs...

if it was the Badboys vs Lebron, just to see how Lebron handles them in comparison to MJ. It might be funny to see how Lebron gets knocked down on his a**, and then the media would be like, "Whos the 'dirtier' team? Pistons? Spurs?." (we all know who's the real badass team)

by MVP @ Golden State Of Mind on May 20, 2007 2:55 AM PDT reply actions

"Deserves a Ring"

Please. CWebb doesn't deserve anything. They had a chance to make the Finals multiple times but didn't. They had great teams but never made it. If he gets a title with the Pistons he will have been an important piece, but he did it as a role player. I don't think you can have someone like him as the top dog and win. He never had that killer instinct, he's just too soft mentally. The reason the Kings won close games was because of Bibby, not CWebb.

Nobody deserves a ring in this league, you have to go take it. Not all great players get a ring, in fact few great players actually get rings. Stockton? Malone? Barkley? Do they deserve rings because they were great players and actually got to the finals? No.

by Fantasy Junkie on May 20, 2007 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

Very true

Nobody deserves a ring in this league, you have to go take it.

That's a great point.

But come one dogg- I'm trying to find reasons to pay attention to this rest of this year's playoffs!

by Atma Brother ONE on May 20, 2007 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Reason to watch

Okay herea are some reasons to watch:

Deron Williams
From most of the games in the Warriors-Jazz series, he looks like a star. It's just his 2nd year too and he's killin it in the playoffs. I know it stings to want to watch a Jazz player after they beat the Warriors but damn the guy is good. Chris Paul vs Deron Williams? The debate is not one sided anymore. Also, watching DWill match up with Tony Parker will be interesting.

Will Bruce Bowen injure anyone?
The Jazz are a tough team and he won't be able to pull his little tactics on them.

Detroit fans
They're the reason I'm cheering against the Pistons. Let's see if they start another brawl. There should be signs in the arena, "Beers are meant to be consumed, not thrown"

LBJ: is he worth rooting for?
Do people really root for the guy? I haven't watched Cavs playoff games, but I've heard he's taken a couple games off (definitely not the last game though). Is he as likeable as DWade last year?

by Fantasy Junkie on May 20, 2007 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

guys

I agree the Spurs-Jazz will be much more boring to watch than any series involving the Suns or Warriors, but I don't see how an NBA fan could not watch four of the best teams dual it out in the playoffs. I mean, ya it's less exciting than it could've been, but it's still awesome! You know y'all are just sitting around playing Warcraft anyways. Okay, I just made fun of video gamers when that's all I ever do anyways, but I think the point of this post was to get you guys that are calling this series boring to stop thinking about how cool a Warriors-Suns series would've been. Playoff basketball, no matter who's playing, is still way cooler than 95% of other events in life - try thinking of it that way so you don't miss some great games.

More Hardware Coming!