Truth. Fundamentally. Salty. + Kevin Durant = Kobe Killer? :: 2010 NBA Playoffs Day 8
by Poor Man's Commish on Apr 24, 2010 3:43 AM PDT
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This is it, kid KD. Black Mamba's out for revenge. How do you respond?
2010 NBA Playoffs Day 7 recaps from Fri 4/23:
TRUTH: Paul Pierce's buzzer beater gives the Boston Celtics a commanding 3-0 series lead against the Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade injured before the last play on a missed jumper, but it turns out to be just a leg cramp.
FUNDAMENTALLY: The San Antonio Spurs grind a 94-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks behind Tony Parker's clutch play and zero three-pointers made.
SALTY: Paul Millsap registers 22-and-19 to give the Utah Jazz a 2-1 series lead over the Denver Nuggets.
2010 NBA Playoffs Day 8 previews for Sat 4/24:
No way that's not called in Charlotte.
11:00AM PDT on TNT: #2 Orlando Magic at #7 Charlotte Bobcats
Fun fact: Did you know that Dwight Howard is only 6'9" without shoes (scroll to near end of linked article)? Seriously though, is anyone waking up at 11am to watch this?
My new favorite Sun. The articulate Mr. Dudley.
1:30PM PDT on TNT: #4 Phoenix Suns at #5 Portland Trailblazers
Who's my favorite Sun? No, not J-Rich, who's torching Portland with 28.3 ppg! No, not Steve Nash. It's... Jared Dudley! Why? Because he's an articulate, fun guy. Fun fact: his nickname is JMZ. Btw, he's due. 2-for-9 on treys so far? That's about to change.
Incidentally, it doesn't seem like 2008 Summer League wonderboy Jerryd Bayless is taking advantage of the opportunity for him as a result of Brandon Roy's injury. Disappointing. I just think he's on the wrong team.
This guy has at least two putback dunk buzzer-beaters, right?
4:00PM PDT on ESPN: #3 Atlanta Hawks at #6 Milwaukee Bucks
The career progression of Josh Smith is strikingly similar to that of Kenyon Martin. The Hawks need to do the right thing and keep their Big Three together, not like what the New Jersey Nets did with K-Mart. I suppose there is probably an upgrade out there somewhere from Mike Bibby, so the Hawks especially need to keep Smith and Joe Johnson.
This franchise that is on the up-and-up needs to prove a point and sweep the Bucks, who don't have much aside from Brandon Jennings and the injured Andrew Bogut. On a side note, early in the season, the 6'9" Ersan Ilyasova from Turkey was playing well as Jennings carried the team, and now I'm surprised to see that Ilyasova has been inconsistent and is coming off the bench.
- Peachtree Hoops: The most important thing about Game Three
- Brew Hoop: Can home cooking kick-start struggling Bucks?
Drum roll, please...
This could be a career-defining game for Kevin Durant. And he's only 21.
6:30PM PDT on ESPN: #1 Los Angeles Lakers at #8 Oklahoma City Thunder
So you just stopped Kobe Bryant in a late-game clutch situation. Kobe is now pissed. Believe me, he's taking it personal. He knows that he needs to put a stamp on this series now and not give OKC any hope heading back to LA.
Kevin Durant, do you realize how big this Game 4 is for you?
@MoBrooksESPN (Maurice Brooks of ESPN.com) tweeted after Game 3 that "Kobe had better hope KD doesn't defend him the rest of the series", to which @JonesOnTheNBA (Nate Jones) said it best when he replied that doing so would be like the '91 Finals when Scottie Pippen switched over to guard Magic Johnson.
I hereby submit that OKC coach Scotty Brooks ought to come out in Game 4 and have KD guard Kobe again, from the opening tip. Make a statement.
What's the worse thing that could happen? Kobe goes off, right out of the gate, right? But if he goes off against KD out of the gate, he would've gone off on anybody out of the gate.
And I must caution that Kobe going off out of the gate, suggests that the ball won't be pounded into Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, as should be the game plan for the Lakers.
Sure, starting off hot on KD could have lingering consequences on KD's late-game confidence on D because, we can all agree, KD must guard Kobe in the 4th quarter, but the kid needs to be put out there to meet his destiny, at some point. The opportunity is here and now. Do it.
Kobe wears down KD? C'mon, the kid's 21. He's supposed to be doing this. It's called "championship-caliber basketball".
Of course, I highly doubt that Brooks would have the guts to play "Chess Master" with Phil Jackson, in this non-hand-check day and age of the NBA (picture Pippen checking Magic all the way down, fullcourt), and in an era where guys don't make moves that jeopardize their jobs.
So, the opportunity will have come and gone for Brooks. Which is why he's not, well, Phil. It's an opportunity to come out and make a statement. To grab the mantle of Alpha Dog.
You take Game 4, now all the pressure's on LA, in LA. Laker fans start to quiver. As a mentor of young NBA players once told me, "an inch of doubt grows to a foot".
But even if that opportunity comes and goes, there could be other variables in play that may allow OKC to steal another one. Take, for example, Russell Westbrook vs Derek Fisher.
Then again, there's Gasol and Bynum down low vs Serge Ibaka and Darren Collison. And Lamar Odom vs no one off the bench. Meh, Lakers in 5.
Prove me wrong, Scotty.
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I’m curious why you have such a man-crush on Kobe. You even claimed he is better than MJ. You’ve read some of the statistical arguments on this website debunking the illogic that comes with this idea…right?
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on Apr 24, 2010 11:23 AM PDT reply actions
Time Warner Arena sounds and looks like the Oracle Arena of the West
Digging the atmosphere there
"I tell him straight, 'If you're going to lead, you have to be the first to practice. You have to come in, get your work down and be prepared for practice,' " assistant coach Keith Smart said. "He needs to figure out why he is having stomach problems and he's got to watch how LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant) and D-Wade (Dwyane Wade) work. He needs to mimic that if he wants his teammates to speak volumes about him." -Keith Smart on Motna Ellis
Oh wow, Brandon Roy about to check in
That’s risking it
Roy should not be playing
No way they are going to get past the second round if they win this series, which they probably won’t.
Suns defense left Aldrige again
lucky he missed
Sorry showing by the Suns
How do you lose that?
Props to Brandon Roy for the miraculous return.
Golden State of Mind :: Always keeping it... "Unstoppable Baby!" | SBNation.com
by Atma Brother ONE on Apr 24, 2010 4:27 PM PDT reply actions
Man
I think this Bucks/Hawks series is the ugliest series to watch of the 1st round.
If the Bucks blow out the Hawks next game
That criticism about the Hawks not being a road playoff team will get louder.
His dunks look so interesting
cause of his length
by Reverend_Randy on Apr 24, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
OKC has a color changing crowd
Last game they were all blue
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Haters are like todays republican party, they whine and complain without offering and idea or solution. It's once in a blue moon one comes a long and is worth listening to
Who says Westbrook can't pass?
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Haters are like todays republican party, they whine and complain without offering and idea or solution. It's once in a blue moon one comes a long and is worth listening to
I dunno
do people say that? I think that’s one of his strengths.
by Reverend_Randy on Apr 24, 2010 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I've heard people say he's just an average passer before
Even on ESPN and NBAtv sometimes they question if he’s even a PG
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Haters are like todays republican party, they whine and complain without offering and idea or solution. It's once in a blue moon one comes a long and is worth listening to
Balls
it’s probably just because he played SG in college.
by Reverend_Randy on Apr 24, 2010 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Even realtors are advertising in the playoff
hahahaahahahahah
If the Thunder wins this series
I would LOVE to hunt through all the LA stories
I think the shotclock should display tenths of a second
that was less than 1 second on the shot clock, but you can’t tell
You know the Lakers aren't fazed by being down 12
so the Thunder can’t let up
Thunder going cold on the shooting
but living at the FT line
westbrook all the way to the rim
that was too easy
Thunder outscored the Lakers by 1 that qtr
Can’t wait for the 2nd half
Pietrus had 0 points, -11
sjax was 6-18fg 1-73pt and -10
crawfish was 5-13fg 1-53pt and -9
Warriors not representing today
Jack was 1-73? His TS% is going to plunge
Lol just kidding I know what your saying ;)
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
LAL needs Kobe to do something
But I’m enjoying what has happened so far….
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
er, we don't need Kobe to do anything, I mean
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
You scared me for a second
Everything is going according to plan
Okay I won’t post another picture
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
I think it's a bit more than luck
at least against the Lakers. The Thunder have hung in with the Lakers since Game 1
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
You know what this suddently reminded me of?
When Charles Barkley called the Warriors the “luckiest team in the league”
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That was a bit of a flop
should not be an offensive foul
OKC is what we should strive to be, there playing great
It also helps Kobe isn’t taking shots though
LGT!!!!
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
I think the Thunder defense is also helping them
It’s not that easy to go in the paint against them
espn.go.com/espn3/player?size=condensed#
copy and paste
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
Oh yeah
20 FT attempted vs 37. It’s all the refs fault.
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope the Thunder don't let up in Game 5
They deserve come credit for not slacking off after the Game 3 home win. I think they’ll keep it up in Game 5
yay
and we’re a good crowd even when we suck
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Yup :D
Though not enough. The world just doesn’t know how crazy the Roaracle will go if Warriors are ever a deep playoff team. They got a taste in 2007….
Woah Mbenga has the Artest haircut
I wouldn’t have expected that
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
DJ Mbenga is in
the Lakers victory cigar / disaster alcoholic drink
Has anyone else noticed that Artest also colored his goatee?
Ew.
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
Reminds me of when Randy Moss did that
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
Kobe to locker room
He’s going to light up the Lakers….
Looking at stats though. Seriously the role players are screwing them
Role guys.....3-14
Shannon Brown (1-6), Farmar (1-6), Luke Walton (1-2)
On the flip side, you got to feed Gasol, Bynum, Odom more!
+ 1billion
BTW…. how did Lakers get killed on boards. They are putting Warriors type numbers on rebounds.
Difference is Tolliver/Hunter aren’t getting paid Gasol/Bynum/Odom money.
Walton is the only overpaid player in the bunch
Farmar and Brown are both on small contracts.
Now, if you are also including Vujachick. Jees oh man. What a bad contract.
by Reverend_Randy on Apr 24, 2010 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
I’m aware, but it wasn’t the Lakers folly that caused him to be overpaid. That was Michael’s fault.
by Reverend_Randy on Apr 24, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Sadly that was a trade they made for financial reasons and STILL they got the best talent
Brown + Morrison 4 Radman….. ugh.
How is that “the best talent”? VladRad pretty much stinks/stank, but Brown+Morrison stink/stank worse.
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Apr 25, 2010 1:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, Shannon Brown is not very good. Adam M. is not NBA player.
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on Apr 25, 2010 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Kobe went to the back for a massage
Lies
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
OK, Kobe went to see a massage therapist
that’s why he’s not on the bench
Morrison in over Sasha?
Woah, they have more than given up
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
No worse than his game
(or i might ad… fashion sense)
Hahahaha
It’s actually pretty bad
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/17/1428213/sasha-vujacic-sprained-ankle-picture
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
That doesn't even look human
Looks like a robotic foot that you spray paint skin like in the movie irobot
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
Doubt it
He’s really really bad. I see him traded in the offseason , than getting cut…… Than going to europe….. Than cut in europe….. Than realizing he can’t play basketball better than a average high school player
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
That is VERY mature of Kevin Durant
“You don’t seem that excited by this win”
“It’s a seven game series”
You guys know whats ridiculous?
Lakers only had 7 more wins than OKC. It’s not your classic 1 vs. 8 where there is a 20+ game difference
Durant- He just became my second favorite nonWarrior, behind DWade
Not to mention that the only reason why the Thunder are #8
is because they lost all the tie breakers with Spurs and Blazers.
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
If the thunders win the series, biggest upset ever???
every bigger than our upset against the mavs???
No
They were goo all year, we got good after we did our trade. And we hadn’t been in the playoffs in 15 years and were a bunch of cast away players and were 2 games above .500. We will forever be the biggest upset!
I don't want another player or pick in return, all I want is.... a SHRUBBERY!
Attacking others only attacks yourself
I don't think so
On paper, we had a 25 game difference between us and the Mavs, and we were barely over .500. So I think that would keep us at the “biggest upset” status.
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 24, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
The Thunder were much younger than the We Believe team and the Lakers are defending Champions,
Also the Warriors dominated the regular season with the Mavs, while the Lakers beat the Thunder 3 – 1.
Good points.
If the Zombie Sonics pull this off (still a big if) I think the mainstream media will probably rank it above Warriors/Mavs in the canon of great sports upsets … and probably deservedly so. Obviously I was exhilirated by the Warriors/Mavs series, but I can’t really say the result surprised me.
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Apr 24, 2010 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
every bigger than our upset against the mavs???
No way. Dallas won a ton of games that year and we barely got the 8th spot.
The Thunder are quite good and rising while the Lakers are quite good and declining so this is not a big upset if the thunder do take the series, just a minor upset (other than the fact it knocks a faithful Cali team out of the playoffs and rewards ScumbBagBennet for hijackin the sonics which is kinda upsetting).
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Apr 24, 2010 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha. The Lakers are defending champs, are coached by Phil Jackson, have Kobe/Gasol/Odom/Bynum/Artest, and, even discounting a bit for some little late season slippage, were viewed going into the playoffs as overwhelming favorites to go to the Finals.
The ’07/08 Mavs had talented-but-soft, not-ready-for-prime-time Nowitzki and Avery Johnson and a bunch of pretty flawed players. Further, they had lost 3 of 4 that season to the Warriors. Further, the Warriors may have barely gotten the 8th spot, but they had closed the season on a torrid 16-5 run, during which they had dismantled a bunch of good teams. IIRC, a bunch of observers said the series had major upset potential. I remember feeling pretty confident going into it.
Not really that close on the upset-o-meter, imho. Of course, the Zombie Sonics still have to close the deal. All they’ve really done so far is shorten it to a three-game series (though tonight’s thrashing was pretty eye-popping).
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Apr 25, 2010 1:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I have to say about Durant
Listening to him talk. He is everything you want in a franchise player. Impressive.
And he’s 6 months younger than Curry. Now Imagine if Portland defied conventional wisdom and took Durant over Oden. Durant + BRoy would have been second coming of MJ/Scottie
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