Rajon Rondo Cursed, Orlando Magic Win + LA Lakers @ Phoenix Suns Game 4 :: NBA Playoffs Day 39
by Feltbot on May 25, 2010 1:33 PM PDT
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Cursed?
Jump for a recap of game 4 between the Magic and the Celtics, and a preview of game 4 between the Lakers and the Suns:
Eastern Conference Finals Game 4
Orlando Magic 96, Boston Celtics 92
Wow, Rondo gets the Sports Illustrated cover and immediately suffers debilitating back spasms. Spooky. Rondo bore no resemblance to the player that has dominated the playoffs yesterday. Couldn't run the court, couldn't drive the lane, couldn't finish, couldn't stay in front of Jameer Nelson.
Not to take anything away from the Magic. Stan van Gundy has made several nice adjustments that finally have the Magic looking like a team on the offensive end. After two games of watching van Gundy use JJ Redick as the provisional point guard, Nelson finally got the message and started looking to set up his teammates. The Magic abandoned trying to post Dwight Howard up in the teeth of the Celtic defense, and started hitting him on the move in the pick and roll, exploiting his superior mobility. (Are you taking notes, Big Chief Triangle?)
And on defense, van Gundy finally abandoned the Vince Carter on Paul Pierce experiment. This is a job for former Warrior co-captain Matt Barnes, whom Jeff van Gundy called the Magic's fiercest competitor. I agree.
But to my eyes, the greatest difference between this game and the previous three was Rondo. His limited mobility turned Nelson loose, and opened up the floor for the Magic's offense. So long as Rondo is hampered by his back spasms, the Celtics are in trouble. And the longer this series goes, the more the aged Celtics will begin to wear down.
Don't look now, but this could turn into an electrifying series. I fully expect the newly confident Magic to dominate in game 5 at home, while the ossifying Celtics take another game off. Which means game 6 in Boston will be for all the marbles.
Personally, although I have a bet on the Celtics, I would love this series to go seven, just so I can hear Jeff van Gundy call Vince Carter a spineless dog on national TV a few more times. I just can't get enough of that.
Nash makes a playoff adjustment
Western Conference Finals Game 4
LA Lakers @ Phoenix Suns
6:00pm PST | TNT
What happened in game 3? Did Robin Lopez join the ranks of the league's elite centers? Did Amare Stoudemire reawaken for good? Did Alvin Gentry's latest defensive "gimmick," the 2-3 zone, really expose a Lakers' Achilles heel? Or did the Lakers simply take a game off?
We'll get some answers tonight, as the Lakers and Suns meet for game 4. Including whether Steve Nash can play effectively through the broken nose he suffered in game 3, courtesy of an "inadvertent" Derek Fisher head-butt. (Am I the only one who is getting sick of watching Fisher play? Not content with rearranging Nash's face, Fisher also delivered a forearm shiver to Amare Stoudemire's dome, opening up a nice cut between his eyes. Fisher has a well-earned reputation as a hard-nosed player. Is it time to regard him as simply dirty?)
Other answers we'll be looking for:
- Will Andrew Bynum take the challenge against Robin Lopez, or will he wait for game 5 to do it in front of Jack Nicholson?
- Will Mr. Kardashian show up to play?
- Will Kobe Bryant deign to guard JRich?
- Will Pau Gasol try to make Amare Stoudemire go LEFT?
- Will the Lakers figure out a way to penetrate the Suns' potent zone? (Kobe Bryant to the media after game 3: "No, we're doomed.")
- Will Ron Artest heed the immortal words of Big Chief Triangle, and stop jacking up threes? (Phil Jackson to the media after game 3: "There's a reason some guys are open and those guys that were open and took some of those shots have to figure out why they are open.")
Blood has been drawn. This one's getting testy. Let's get ready to rumble!
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Robin Lopez has been one of the elite centers for months now.
At least if you listen to the media here in Phoenix. I don’t get it, but people here really believe his defense can be the difference that takes them all the way.
I’m glad Amare finally had an okay game so I don’t have to listen to nothing but, " should we boo Amare?" talk on the radio.
"Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."
For all we love to rip on media folk, I think it bears mention that Van Gundy, Collins, and Mark Jackson are all fantastic announcers. I still learn stuff from those dudes. They’re like the anti- Dick Stocktons.
Totally agreed on how different the Cs look when Rondo doesn’t bring his A-game. When he’s on the bench or not involved, it’s all Paul Pierce and his painfully predictable isos, KG still afraid to take the big shot, and not nearly enough looks for Ray Allen. If they had made more of an effort to involve Ray last night, I think they would have won the game / series going away … now I suspect you’re right that it’s a dogfight. Rats!
(Diary rec’ed for excellent use of “ossifying.”)
There will be no extra point!
Mark Jackson is an absolutely terrible announcer. I mute it when he’s on the broadcast, no joke. Van Gundy and Collins are cool though.
And to be fair I am only pretty sure that the voice I detest is Mark Jackson, I never have confirmed it though, it could be someone else.
Yeah, I wasn’t too sure about Jackson, but I didn’t want to exclude him. As a team, I like them a lot. Collins’ ability to break down plays and describe them eloquently them in 5-10 seconds is a thing to behold.
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on May 25, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I wrote this without seeing yours, it wasn’t a direct response just a coincidence. The team dynamic may be true but, like I said, once I hear the voice, unless I know that Hubie Brown is there (my favorite national broadcaster), I’m muting it.
My dream team would be Brown and Barnett doing the Warriors games. Just pure knowledge thrown at me from all angles.
He’s so bad.
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 May 25, 2010 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions
The Dallas Braden cover was better.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 25, 2010 2:52 PM PDT reply actions
Hi Guys
Old Kentucky Wildcat fan here. Rumor has it that Nellie wants DeMarcus Cousins. Go for it he will be a keeper! Have watched Warriors since Nellie got back. You need another Wildcat to go with “bukie”
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
From your lips to the Draft Gods’ ears…
Can we get a side order of Rajon with that Cuz and ’Buike?
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on May 25, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Rumor has it that Nellie wants DeMarcus Cousins.
Haha, this must be the Good Nellie instead of the Evil Nellie? If he really wants Cuz we’ll see how his trade up skils are? Giving Up Jrich for Broken/Wing is a lot easier to negotiate than swapping the 6th spot for the 2nd spot.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 25, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
You can't call that
in the league!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
Haha
Amare gave Fisher a quiet shove to the ground on that pick
Fish keep flopping
Am I the only one who is getting sick of watching Fisher play? Not content with rearranging Nash’s face, Fisher also delivered a forearm shiver to Amare Stoudemire’s dome, opening up a nice cut between his eyes. Fisher has a well-earned reputation as a hard-nosed player. Is it time to regard him as simply dirty?
Between the flops, dirty play, low hoops IQ, and horrendous defense, Fisher is the most painful player in the league to watch.
Golden State of Mind :: Always keeping it... "Unstoppable Baby!" | SBNation.com
by Atma Brother ONE on May 25, 2010 6:12 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Channing Frye = Al Harrington
Cannot hit a 3 in this series
I don't know if I believe Phil Jackson
when he said Kobe only took 1 shot because he’s trying to “get others involved”
Terrific Suns defense by the bench
very sharp and aggressive that time, shotclock violation
Dudley with his own 3!
Suns up 10! Lakers timeout! This is fun
Frye hitting ANOTHER 3!
he’s feeling it now
If Aminu can hit threes, its all over.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 25, 2010 6:53 PM PDT reply actions
Kobe feeling it?
Everyone feeling it
Hi Lisa. Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers.
by Reverend_Randy on May 25, 2010 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Jeez, imagine Curry doing that. He probably could.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 25, 2010 6:55 PM PDT reply actions
Halftime
Suns 9 pt lead. I didn’t see this coming.
hey guys
Stuck at sisters soccer party. How do the sund look so far?
Take my bags, not my top 3 pick!
"Winning is not enough. All others must lose." - Larry Ellison
by Badly Browned on May 25, 2010 7:29 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
errr suns
Silly phone keyboard
Take my bags, not my top 3 pick!
"Winning is not enough. All others must lose." - Larry Ellison
by Badly Browned on May 25, 2010 7:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It was a fun 2nd qtr
neither side could miss. Suns hitting a lot of 3s, pushed the lead to 10. Lakers holding tough and Suns cold to start the 3rd, Suns lead only 2
by IQofaWarrior on May 25, 2010 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I take that back
looks like Suns are still in a zone
Wright would work better with Curry just becuase he’s a better finisher at the rim.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 25, 2010 7:53 PM PDT reply actions
Barbosa follows with his 3
now the 3s are falling
Go Suns!!!!! Put em away JRich!!!!
Take my bags, not my top 3 pick!
"Winning is not enough. All others must lose." - Larry Ellison
He's shooting like 40% from 3 for the playoffs
Hi Lisa. Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers.
by Reverend_Randy on May 25, 2010 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions
He's kinda "streaky" I guess
Hi Lisa. Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers.
by Reverend_Randy on May 25, 2010 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
You sure about that 40% for 3 during these playoffs?
Yahoo has him at 18/70, 25.7%
by IQofaWarrior on May 25, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh woops
I was on basketball reference and I read the wrong column. Shooting 40% overall.
Hi Lisa. Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers.
by Reverend_Randy on May 25, 2010 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Old man Hill with a turnaround
11 pt lead! It’s over!
Hi Lisa. Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers.
by Reverend_Randy on May 25, 2010 8:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
haha
I saw that live on the broadcast. That was hilarious
by IQofaWarrior on May 25, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
It's over!
Suns tie the Lakers 2-2. I didn’t see this coming at all. Let’s see if the Suns can win one in LA now.
Wow, Suns bench is Craig Sager's interview
never seen that before
That's 2 games in a row the Lakers are slowed by the Suns zone
That surprises me. I can’t wait for Game 5 now.
Hahahaha
In the locker room:
Alvin Gentry: “We’re going to play our girly zone”
Oh that's terrific
President Obama’s full interview, he pokes fun at Chuck’s golf swing
Has Shannon Brown gone off on the Suns yet? Because… he is guaranteed to win at least one game in this series all by himself.
"Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."
by cybermaldonado on May 25, 2010 10:57 PM PDT reply actions
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