Is Chris Paul Ready for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers' Best Shot? + Durant and Westbrook Need Someone to Step Up - Nuggets @ Thunder, Grizzlies @ Spurs, Hornets @ Lakers: 2011 NBA Playoffs Day 5
by olympicmike on Apr 20, 2011 1:10 PM PDT
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There has been no shortage of good games and storylines so far in these young 2011 NBA Playoffs, and I'm sure tonight will be no different. We've got two of the best teams in the league with their backs against the wall early, and a battle of up and coming teams that have found success in very different ways. Jump to recap last night's action and look ahead to tonight's matchups.
Knicks 93 (0) @ Celtics 96 (2)
Knicks fans knew they would have to go without Chauncey Billups for this one after he went down with a knee injury late in game one (MRI scheduled for today), but what they didn't expect was for Amare Stoudemire to leave the game early with back spasms. It was time for Melo to step up, and he responded by putting that team on his back and giving them a chance to win. Carmelo Anthony finished the game with 42pts 17reb 6ast and 2blk, but unfortunately for Spike Lee that wasn't enough to take down the deeper and much more experienced Celtics. Rondo had a very nice game, but in the final moments it was KG who was the hero. First he called for the ball on the block against Jeffries for the final offensive possession (something he's been criticized for shying away from for much of his career) and pounded it in the paint, rising up and finishing with a hook shot over some very physical D. Then on the other end of the floor he trapped Jeffries with the ball on the baseline and was able to deflect an attempt to pass out of trouble, and dove to the floor to secure the ball and call for a timeout with only a few seconds left.
Hawks 82 (1) @ Magic 88 (1)
I think the tone was set for this game when Dwight Howard received the Defensive Player of the Year award before the game. This was was ugly offensively, and Dwight had to play all 48 minutes to help his team grind out the win and even the series. He finished with 33pts (including 15 0f 19 from the line) 19reb, but added to the overall offensive ugliness with seven turnovers. Our old friend Jamal Crawford led the Hawks in scoring with 25, but as usual didn't do much else to fill out the boxscore or make a positive impact on defense. He did hit some very impressive looking long threes to keep them in the game at key moments, but in the end the Magic outlasted the Hawks.
Trail Blazers 89 (0) @ Mavericks101 (2)
This was a close game for three quarters, but the Mavericks came out and shut the door in the fourth. A good game from Dirk, and some hot outside shooting from Peja proved to be too much for the Blazers to handle. It's not fun to see Brandon Roy like this, and I'm hoping he can get back to his old self next season.
DAY 5 PREVIEW
Denver Nuggets (0) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
5:00pm PST | TNT
These are two of my favorite teams to watch right now. I'm a sucker for young, up and coming teams, but this series is making it abundantly clear how different these two up and comers really are. The Nuggets roll nine or ten deep every night, and since they swapped Carmelo for half of the Knicks roster they play like interchangeable pieces, with an absence of ego or hierarchy. Melo was a gravitational force on the court, drawing the ball and the attention of defenders, while leaving the four other Nuggets in orbit – their floor spacing more dependent on their Star (or is he more of a gas giant...) than the offense as a whole. Now they work more like worker ants with a common goal, and it doesn't much matter which of the ants are out on the floor. That's not to say that they don't have players with unique skills and talents, but they don't put those skills and talents above the team.
On the other hand the Thunder have a better collection of talent, but you can see that the team can still be too top heavy. Last game they got 41 and 31 points from Durant and Westbrook respectively, but they only had one other player break double digits in scoring. They definitely have players that can step up, but they will have to find a way to get guys like Harden and Ibaka involved in the offense effectively. I'd expect to see the Thunder try to get different guys some good looks early, then hand the keys to Westbrook and Durant in the fourth.
Memphis Grizzlies (1) @ San Antonio Spurs (0)
5:30 PST | NBATV
If anyone was uncertain about exactly how important Manu Ginobili has been to this team all season, then game one should have given them a pretty good idea. He's been the key to them pushing the ball in transition and getting into the paint on a consistent basis in the half court. I honestly don't know if they'll get out of the first round if he can't get healthy very soon. This is as small as the Spurs have been in recent memory, and the Grizz did a nice job of feeding Randolph and Gasol inside and putting constant pressure on the Spurs interior D. I do expect the Spurs to come out focused and ready to compete because, frankly, I can't imagine Coach Pop letting them get away with anything less, but I was surprised to hear some of the comments from Spurs players that made it sound like they themselves weren't sure if they could win without Manu. Sure, maybe they just understand how serious the situation is, but it almost sounded like they were ready to fold up shop if Manu can't play.
New Orleans Hornets (1) @ Los Angeles Lakers (0)
7:30 PST | TNT
I still expect the Lakers to recover and win the series, but Chris Paul definitely came out and made a statement in game one. About this time last year I was writing about how people were sleeping on CP3 when they were calling Deron Williams the best point guard in the NBA, and with Rose likely to receive the MVP soon this might be a good time for Chris Paul to remind the league just how good he is. Of course the Lakers are still a legit title contender, and have bigger things to worry about than who is better than who. They should come out tonight with their A game. If they were sleeping on the Hornets, game one certainly woke them up. Tonight we will see if Chris Paul will have what it takes to pull of David and Goliath part two.
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Another good day to park in front of the TV
or in my case, the computer screen
Nuggets start this game COLD
They started out nuclear hot in the last game
Nuggets need to wake up
Thunder came to play
Usually don't call that.
But I like that they did. Protect those bigs!
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
JR got reached on.
Not happy at all. He’s already let the refs take him out of his game.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
I think they're a team that plays on emotion more than most.
Hard for them to wipe a game slate clean. But because they have depth and a lot of energy overall, I don’t really count them out of this game. Still, Thunder are just better.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Certainly looks that way
They’re emotional gas tanks are on fumes so far
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions
This is when Denver needs to take over:
Oklahoma bench on the court.
But it’s not happening
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Man, just nothing is going the Nuggets way
They had a steal-save, goes right back to the Thunder, AND they score
Well, let's list the things not going their way:
-Foul Calls
-50/50 plays
-Shot making
-Passing
-Rebounds
Not that bad… lol
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
9 min left in the 2nd, Thunder up 25
I’d switch to the other game if I had NBATV
JR Smith taken to the locker room for whatever reason
That won’t help the Nuggets
he's back
no idea why he left. Maybe he just went to the bathroom or something
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't understand why Pop starts Blair all season long
then starts McDyess in the first two playoff games. I mean, I know he’s way more experienced, but he’s been terrible for most of the year.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Having a hard time deciding which game to pay attention to.
MEm-SA is close but boring.
Den is starting to get back into it.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
hahahaha
You need PIP – Picture in picture.
Or 2 TVs, with 4 eyes.
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Very much lol
Commenting on two different sites makes it difficult to watch the other game online.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Noted:
Tony Allen gets mad after his man scores on him. Not just good on defense, but clearly cares a lot about how his opponent does.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Hard to.
Since they didn’t have Battier and played Allen only a little until his injury.
But with all the wing depth they have, it’d be a pretty damn good team.
Z-Bo has actually become criminally underrated during his time with the Grizzlies.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
So do I
I need some material to write about for tomorrow’s post.
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Memphis-San Antonio has provided most of that so far.
This game has just sucked.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Bonus coverage of the Spurs game
Looks much better than the Nuggets/Thunder game
It was close but boring for a while.
But Memphis has just recently got very messy allowing the Spurs offense to take off.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
not surprising.
wonder if they can cut it to just a couple possessions.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Not with Durant around
Thunder back up 14
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions
better team. better players.
at home. even playing poorly, they’ve managed to win this game because Denver has played more poorly.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Strangely enough,
the Nuggets and Thunder were mostly even with each other, qtr-wise, in the last 3 qtrs.
That happens a lot I thought.
Blowouts just end up never getting better.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
OK, it's officially over
no more dragging through this game.
Listening to Sean Elliot (Spurs announcer/former player)...
I don’t see how people can complain about Fitzgerald… lol
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Sean Eilliot is the man!
One of my favorite basketball players… didn’t know he does announcing now
by Monta THE Boss on Apr 20, 2011 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions
EPIC FLOP.
There will always be a reason to dislike Manu Ginobili.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
I think I'd honestly take Chris Paul first if there was a mythical franchise draft
Don’t even need to hire a coach.
Kobe almost Hug CP3
and wanna make love but ref never call a foul
Win Or Lose Warriors For Life.........
that was whack
i hate tony brothers and the stupid nba refs
by Monta THE Boss on Apr 20, 2011 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Luke Walton has one of the easiest high paying jobs in the world
Bench player who never plays anymore
CP3 closing the half with a 3!
In your face
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Kobe, that’s right, cover your face with your jersey
Not so much.
It’s a normal playoff game.
Refs are just being sticklers. Calling way too much little stuff.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
This game is over
At this pace, Hornets won’t be able to overcome this 8 pt deficit
12 pt deficit
And this all happened after Okafur got pulled for #4
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
That's a bit unfair to the rest of the West when the Lakers are strugginling with the Hornets
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
CP3 closing the 3rd with a 3
in your face again
Oh Chris Paul, why didn’t teach Monta that earlier this season? Then we wouldn’t have been so mad lol.
by Prince.Charming on Apr 20, 2011 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Pau Gasol has been so bad in these first two games.
And Chris Paul with the buzzer-beating 3 again? WOW.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
I want the Hornets to win
So I can use that video for tomorrow’s story
by IQofaWarrior on Apr 20, 2011 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, Guber is at the Lakers game
warriors: RT @PeterGuber: At @lakers @hornets game wearing @warriors pin & dreaming/scheming about next year #GSW @NBA http://yfrog.com/gzaqjkcj
Ariza, sit down
You get 2 FTs from the flagrant, and you miss them both.
Staples center is the worst playoff game
you can go to. no free t shirts
Win Or Lose Warriors For Life.........
they had them in game 1
not sure if they did in this game, but people just didn’t wear them on Sunday
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Ariza is very talented, but he can also be a very annoying player
Super inconsistent with his shoting and can be pretty erratic
No reaction from the fans
like watching a pre season game or summer league
Win Or Lose Warriors For Life.........
We all know the Lakers' time is over and they won't win the finals this year.
Next year is when they go on decline.
Half of them don't even watch the game most of the time
Just chatting it up with other rich people
by duballers23 on Apr 20, 2011 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
haha id. Obviously I wa exaggerating, but a lot of the fans in there are very wealthy and aren't really into the game.
by duballers23 on Apr 20, 2011 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Ariza, everything but the finish
He worked right through the Lakers defense there
Again, Hornets score on the drive
Keep driving!
Great call, refs
Replay confirms off Kobe’s leg
Guber
is sitting behind the Hornets bench, or rather behind where Monty Williams is standing.
by Anonymous1337 on Apr 20, 2011 10:12 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
and had pau gasol played like an AVG PF
this game would be a blowout and the series would be 2-0 lakers
basically, doesn’t matter why they’re losing if it’s something within their control
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Pau Gasol's numbers:
2009-2010 Playoffs: 19.6 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 53% fg
2 games so far: 8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 21% fg
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
The Hornets didn't go to their pick n roll with Paul as much as they should have tonight.
I think it cost ’em.
I agree
He was better than last year, but that’s because his minutes went up. It’s not like he really improved as a player. He was already capable of what he did this year, but never got the amount of minutes he got this year.
by duballers23 on Apr 20, 2011 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Same could be said about Dorell?
Whom I’m assuming you’d want to replace Love?
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Well Dorell became a great 3 point shooter and he developed his game quite well this season.
He went from being a spot-up shooter to being able to (somewhat) dribble and drive inside.
or maybe his role just didn't call for it?
i mean, love did some new things too this year. but when you look at the numbers, dorell didn’t increase his shooting %s, and only his total stats, while doubling his minutes.
love is really just as worthy if not more so.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Lame but NBA
put him into all star this year, no wonder they gonna vote him to be MIP. Its all about publicity
Win Or Lose Warriors For Life.........
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