Team beats MVP (Celtics beat Cavs) + Chess match breaks out as Suns beat Spurs + Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic + Utah Jazz @ LA Lakers :: 2010 NBA Playoffs Day 18
by Feltbot on May 4, 2010 10:11 AM PDT
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Unsung hero.
Jump for a rewind of Day 17 action, and a preview of tonight's annihilations... er, games!
Day 17 Rewind
Boston Celtics 104, Cleveland Cavaliers 86
The Celtics are finished? Washed up? Shame on you, Bill Simmons!
The Celtics are clearly the better team in this series, as I suspected in my first recap of the season. They are better than the Cavs at every position but one, and at that position they have a perennial all-star and Finals MVP, Paul Pierce, to match with Lebron. Rajon Rondo is all-world, and owns Mo Williams. Shaquille O'Neal is completely washed up, and a detriment to any team that plays him (see Phoenix Suns). Antwan Jamison is not a playoff power-forward. Ray Allen is the best shooting guard on the floor. And don't get me started on the coaching... the best open-court player who has ever lived is buried up to his neck in a walk-it-up half-court offense. You know it's bad when even Charles Barkley can see what the problem is. Enough said.
There are of course plenty of questions swirling around the Celtics. Garnett and Pierce have been injured all season long, and still don't look anything close to their best. Rasheed Wallace has been out of shape and a bust... or has he simply been resting up for the playoffs?
But the Cavs now have a question of their own: How bad is Lebron's elbow? Bad enough to crush his spirit, as it appeared last night?
Because only a super-human effort by Lebron, and a major assist from David Stern, are going to get the Cavs out of this series alive. Hit it, boys!
Those little town blues... are melting away... I'm gonna make a brand new start of it....
Unsung hero.
Phoenix Suns 111 San Antonio Spurs 102
If you are a fan of great coaching, don't miss this series. Alvin Gentry and Greg Popovich are engaged in a serious chess match, and they are both masters of the game.
Gentry has a Manu Ginobili problem. He can't guard him with J-Rich. J-Rich couldn't guard Ginobili's grandmother. So Gentry tried Grant Hill on Manu, but it didn't go so great. He may not have a better option.
Popovich has a Steve Nash problem. Or should I say had. When Popovich made the second half adjustment of starting Tony Parker, his Nash problem disappeared. Now Alvin Gentry has a Tony Parker problem.
Popovich also had a J-Rich problem in this game. He tried guarding him with George Hill, but that didn't work: Gentry immediately recognized the mismatch, and posted Hill up mercilessly. In the second half, Pop made the adjustment of switching Jefferson and Bogans onto J-Rich, and putting Ginobili on Grant Hill. That ended the post-ups, and the Spurs went on a 13-0 run to take the lead. Eventually though, J-Rich freed himself up for open threes in transition.
Now Pop needed to find a way to stop the Suns transition game. The fourth quarter was all about small ball: Pop went with a center and four guards. But Gentry did not get caught flat-footed: he matched Pop small for small, and the Suns hung on for the victory.
If I said to you that Don Nelson's imprint was all over these two coaches, and this game in particular, would you hate me? Well consider this: Greg Popovich was an assistant under Nellie. And Alvin Gentry was an assistant under Pop.
This is going to be a hell of a series.
Now for tonight's action:
Unsung hero.
Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic -- Game 1
5pm PST on TNT | Peachtree Hoops - Atlanta Hawks | Orlando Pinstriped Post - Orlando Magic
It doesn't take a lot to handicap this series. Al Horford is a very nice center. But you can fit two Al Horfords into one Dwight Howard. Jameer Nelson ate Raymond Felton alive in the last series. Now he's going against Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford. Yum, yum.
Now, what happens if Stan van Gundy puts Matt Barnes on Joe Johnson?
The Hawks are 6-1 dogs in this series. Don't take it.
Unsung hero.
Utah Jazz @ LA Lakers -- Game 2
7:30pm PST on TNT | SLC Dunk - Utah Jazz | Silver Screen and Roll - LA Lakers
Ho hum. Snore... Is this series over yet? Big Chief Triangle and the Kobettes toyed with the Jazz in the last game. The Lakers massive front line is just too much for Boozer and Milsap.
Just to make it interesting, why doesn't Phil Jackson sit Kobe for the entire fourth quarter, and just bring him in for the last play?
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Orlando is going to maul the Hawks.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 10:16 AM PDT reply actions
Warriors news update
gswscribe: As expected, Warriors swingman Kelenna Azubuike picked up his player option for next season, just over $3M
MSteinmetzCSN: Curry among four added to USA basketball roster along with Tyreke Evans, Prince and Jeff Green
Feltbot, he’s a professional athlete, it’s not the playoffs.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
What does that mean? Curry needs to rest up. He was clearly gassed in the late part of the season.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 4, 2010 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
The kid is 22
He was gassed because he was playing 40 minutes a game every other night. Playing 15 minutes a game if he’s lucky isn’t going to tire him out for next season.
by Throw up the Dub on May 4, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
This is a commitment all the way through 2012 as far as I understand. It’s not just about one season. Playing about 15 minutes won’t burn him out for the upcoming season, but I don’t want him fatigued down the stretch. If he feels that he can do it, okay, that’s good enough for me.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 4, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Omg…guys, he’s not 60. NBA athletes can handle it.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Re: Omg…guys, he’s not 60.
Don’t drag Greg Oden into this.
I give pressure the reach-around.
by bloodsweatndonuts on May 4, 2010 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
he’s a professional athlete,
who pays his salary? the warriors or team usa?
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 4, 2010 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
It worse than the playoffs
Have you somehow missed how many players come back from international play completely worn down or outright injured?
Parker, Ginobili, Gasol. Kobe Bryant.
Perhaps you missed the two right in front of your face? Biedrins, Turiaf.
There is a reason that most GMs and coaches would prefer that their players rest over the summer. A good reason.
Well, I’d rather have him get stronger and train with CP3 in the olympics, wouldn’t you? If anything, guys like Randolph need the experience. At this point, Curry being 22, not in his late 20’s or early 30’s like the guys you mentioned, I’d want him to compete in the olympics, at least for a couple years. He is going to take over the team…you don’t want him to play with the world’s elite?
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
you don’t want him to play with the world’s elite?
Not really, I don’t see much upside for us and the distraction and chance of injury is a downside. I think having other NBA teams players getting the wear and tear on their bodies is probably better for the Warriors?
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 4, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Parker, Ginobili, Gasol. Kobe Bryant.
Perhaps you missed the two right in front of your face? Biedrins, Turiaf.
That still sounds pretty anecdotal.
Not doubting that playing competitively over the summer can have ill effects, but I’d love to see a broader study of players who did so v. players who chilled out.
There will be no extra point!
Stern ALWAYS wins
Unless its a Spurs versus Detroit finals.
by dj fuzzylogic on May 4, 2010 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Rajon Rondo is a beast
Did you see him channel his inner Curry (v. Birdman) last night against two defenders? I’ve watched a lot of Cavs games, and Mo is the guy that really makes the team go. If Rondo can keep owning him, and I suspect he will, Cleveland may need LeBron to go all ’07 East finals to survive this series. As a Laker fan, these playoffs are unfolding quite nicely if Bynum can play through pain.
Not to go on a tangent or anything, but i am SICK AND TIRED of the media constantly playing up players’ injuries. We get it! Kobe’s hurt. Who cares? He’s playing! Nohing else matters. LeBron’s (allegedly) hurt. Who cares? He’s playing! Celtics are all hurt. Who cares? They’re playing! Everybody is hurt this time of year, and the media just plays up these injuries to either make guys look like heroes, when they aren’t, or to give themselves excuses for when their “expert opinions” turn out to be loads of crap (everybody that said Cleveland and the Lakers would roll through the playoffs).
by LakerFan24 on May 4, 2010 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
Everything except the last sentence of the first para.
Haha, word. Other than the fact that he worships the Great Satan, LF24 is a pretty solid poster. ;-)
There will be no extra point!
After a 6-1 loss in Game 2, the Oilers outscored the Islanders 19-6 over the final three games to take the series.
The seeds were planted a year before.
"After losing that first final, walking by their locker room, the one thought we had as players was: it was going to be a dreadful sight going by their locker room and watching them celebrate and having a tremendous time," Gretzky said. "As we found out … it was pretty quiet in there.
"We sort of walked out healthy and they were beat up. We realized then and there that it takes a lot more than just wanting to win. You were going to have to earn it, and it was going to take a lot to win a Stanley Cup and be a champion. That’s what we learned from the Islanders."
-http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2009/05/31/80s-oilers-learned-how-to-win-stanley-cup-after-losing-first-to-the-new-york-islanders-940/
A team has to play in a minimum of 98 games to win it all; most of them are going to be hurting pretty good at the end. The teams who have the combination of players who have the skill and players who know how to win are those who we see in the finals. Its no surprise the Celtics are outclassing the Cavs right now. Lebron isn’t injured, he’s hurting.
by Elevation Sensation on May 4, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
We get it! Kobe’s hurt. Who cares? He’s playing! Nohing else matters. LeBron’s (allegedly) hurt. Who cares?
We do. The difference between a hurt kobe and a hurt lebron is no contest when it comes to team performance. The Cav’s can’t win without a healthy lebron but the lakers can win with a lame kobe.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 4, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Actually, Rondo used that move way before Curry came along. Curry channeled his inner Rondo.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, look at that Rondo traction!!
Barnett would love those shoes.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 4, 2010 3:08 PM PDT reply actions
Well, it does appear as though they support the ankles.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 4, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do I feel like today's games will be boring?
The Magic and Lakers should have no problems dispatching their opponents today.
Magic and Hawks reminded me
in 2k10, my friend have an association going. His best two players are Dwight Howard and Josh Smith. I only have Kevin Durant, who leads the league in scoring, FG% and 3P%.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
The Hawks took FOREVER to come back over to the front court on that steal
What are they doing? Admiring the cheerleaders?
That Dwight Howard FT looks stiff
but at least it goes over the rim
That's a crappy foul on Dwight Howard
inadvertent elbow
I don't get the schedule makers
Cavs Celtics Game 2 on Monday, Game 3 on Friday?!? Why such a long break???
Hahahaha
On a more serious note, I think I see why. They wanted Game 3 and Game 4 to be on the weekend. Game 4 is on Sunday. It’s all about the $$$
They win lots of games based on talent
but aren’t very smart as team.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Yup,us
We win alot of our games on talent. But we don’t win lots. Were a team of ISO’s too and it was only toward the end of the season we started passing the ball well. Mainly because we got another playmaker in Reggie and Turiaf.
Turiaf as a playmaker?
We were able to put the ball in Curry and Reggie’s hands.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be a sight to see
Dwight Howard shooting a 3
You know
I honestly can’t remember if I did or not. I remember the Rookie/Sophomore game, the boring dunk contest, and the 3 pt contest. That’s all I remember.
Dwight hit a 3 in the first quarter of the All Star game
I watched the first quarter of it and the last 2 minutes.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Only shoot 3s
they’re worth more points
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
In that Howard interview
Dwight finally figures out that he should beat his opponent with his brain,and not just his brawns.
Wow … this may be the most obscenely lopsided playoff matchup yet. Hawks being beaten senseless.
Hey, guess what kids? Jamal Crawford … still sucks!
There will be no extra point!
he's like sjax
can win or loose the game for you by himself
Back to the old Dwight Howard
shouldering right into his defender
Dear Hawks
You’re done.
Sincerely,
Everyone else in the league
Man, it’s too bad Dwight Howard doesn’t have any “post moves.”
Instead of getting to the rim at will, he should learn to shoot 15-footers all day like Al Jefferson.
There will be no extra point!
Hahahaha
How did Josh Smith lose that ball?
wow, magic up 41 pts
That is a beatdown, ghetto E Oakland style
Somehow, they suck on the road in the playoffs
plus I think the announcers are right in that the 7 game series drained them from this game
Ah yeah
I haven’t been paying too much attention.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Struggling to beat the Bogut-less Bucks was a pretty big warning sign.
How they won 50 games is another question. It really looks like Crawford and JSmooth have reverted to pumpkins all at once.
And Dwight Howard makes Al Horford look like Al Bundy.
There will be no extra point!
Hey
Al Bundy was great at beating up Kelly’s boyfriends
JSmooth
It’s JSmoove.
No, seriously.
by LarryLegendofOracle on May 4, 2010 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
The most entertaining part of the game
Black Stan Van Gundy
Can't teams just give up a game
Go to the ref, concede and try to prevent injuries…
Wow in reading up all I got to say is show some pride. Down by 46? Where are the hard fouls and statement plays?
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
In Warriors twitter news
Both Reggie and Morrow have started working out and getting back into shape. Perhaps they’re getting ready for summer league
I think I'm just going to check out at half time
At this point, sleep is more entertaining than the 2nd half of this game
I once made a 14 footer
but that was insane.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm turning in
this is way too easy for the Lakers
What could Fisher do on Nash?
and it’s not like they could punish Nash by going to Fisher.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Flop
That’s all Fisher does these days. He knows he’s going to get beat because he’s not very quick anymore, so he just gets ready to take the charge. I can’t stand it. I hope Nash goes off on him if they play. It’d be awesome to see J-Rich dunk on Kobe and school him. Same with Amare on Gasol and Bynum. They’re going to need Lopez for defense.
It's not like Nash needs to get to the hoop to be effective
he’s a deadly deadly shooter
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep. He'll smoke Fisher if they play.
I think this year could be the Suns year, if Lopez can get back. He’ll be a big key if they play the Lakers. Nash, J-Rich, Hill, Stoudemire, Lopez vs. Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Gasol, Bynum, is pretty even, and throw in the benches, an the Suns are deeper. Barbosa, Frye, Dudley, Dragic, Amundson > Odom, Brown, Farmar, Walton.
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