NBA playoffs : 2nd round

[CryWolf]

The table is set for Round 2. The high point in Round 1 was the improbale return of the Suns, down 1-3, to eclipse the Lakers.

As expected, the usual suspects are still in the race for the NBA finals.

EAST

Heat v/s Cavs : interesting showdown between Wade and LeBron

Pistons v/s Nets : that should be a walk in the park for the Pistons

WEST

Spurs v/s Mavs : another obstacle for the Spurs, should finish on top 4-3

Suns v/s Clippers : paper clips no more, can the Clippers contain the high octane offence of the Suns and their MVP?

 

[EagerBeaver]

I think the Mavs have a shot at taking out the Spurs, otherwise the favorites should all win.

 

[breadman]

If im not mistaken, its the Piston vs the Cavs.

 

[Chuckles]

B'man is right - it's actually Heat/Nets and Cavs/Pistons in the East.

Of course, I think it's a moot point as I expect the Heat and the Pistons to win anyhow.

 

[CryWolf]

B'man is right - it's actually Heat/Nets and Cavs/Pistons in the East.

Of course, I think it's a moot point as I expect the Heat and the Pistons to win anyhow.

Sorry for that mix up, you are right guys.

But it's a no-brainer anyway, HEAT and PISTONS should meet in the ECF.

 

[CryWolf]

First game won by the Spurs, another close one lost by the Mavs 85-87.

Great play by Ginobili in the dying seconds of the game to deny Stackhouse to tie and win the game.

They played @ 1 pm ET, that was a weird schedule. A western game played that early, must have been 10 am in Texas?

 

[UNDFTD]

NBA playoffs...

...is the best time of year! And what a great start...Clips making history, LeBron opening up, Suns-Lakers series for the ages, and the Pistons and Spurs trucking along as if they already know what the outcome's gonna be.

I was initiated into this time of year at a very young age coming from a family of Celtic fans and watched the legendary matchups and dynasty of the Celtics and Lakers of the 80s. Though the NBA is very different now, with soaring contracts and egos, free agency, "project" stars, and individual talent taking precendent over team success, it is encouraging to see organizations like Detroit and San Antonio, stick together, build, and succeed as a team. I firmly believe we are witnessing a Detroit/San Antonio dynasty.

That said, I agree with the rest...until the Heat and Pistons meet in the ECF, my focus will be on the two series' in the west. Both have the potential to be one of those things we talk about to our kids...

"Son, it was the battle of Texas, again! And this tall white guy was hungry all season to prove himself and his team...he just took over and put the champs out."

OR

"The two teams just made history in the previous round...one for just being there and the other for coming back down 3-1, without their top scorer for the entire season, a totally new team, and a back-to-back MVP!"

Enjoy it guys...it's gonna be great.

 

[Joe.t]

Detroit over San Antonio in 6 in the final, revenge for last year.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Now that it is Mavs-Heat in the finals, any predictions? I have read that the Mavs are installed as favorites, although my money is on the Heat due to the Wade-Shaq tandem.

If the Mavs win, it would be interesting to see NBA Commissioner Dave Stern hand the trophy to Mavs owner Mark Cuban, as there has been a longstanding fued between the two over NBA officiating. Stern has continually assessed large fines against Cuban for Cuban's over-the-top comments criticizing the NBA, its officials and referees.

 

[Joe.t]

Miami in 7 in a very good and exciting series, Shaq and Wade will be too much for Dallas.

 

[picasso]

Dallas in 6. Avery Johnson has proven very adept at making defensive adjustments and create mismatches during the SA and PHX series and he will do so again against the Heat. Mavs can play the half-court game as well as anybody in the league and has the speed to play fastbreak type b-ball. If you can beat the defending champion Spurs, you deserve to be NBA champ.

 

[Joe.t]

Miami has won it in six(i predicted 7) and nobody else picked Miami, too much Dwayne Wade who established himself as one of the top five players in the NBA, hopefully next year it will be the Raptors turn(i hope).

 

[HonestAbe]

Big Aristotle wins #4

Miami has won it in six(i predicted 7) and nobody else picked Miami, too much Dwayne Wade who established himself as one of the top five players in the NBA, hopefully next year it will be the Raptors turn(i hope).

I picked them Joe, not in this thread obviously so believe me, or not, I always thought Miami had too much experience for the Mavs who had no one with any Finals experience and little late round experience. They can build on this years fine performance though and they will be a force to be reckoned with next year as well.

D-Wade isn't Jordan but he shows flashes of brilliance. Funny how all the hype on his draft class was on LeBron and Melo but neither one of them was the first to win a championship. I'm sure the league will do everything it can to get LeBron in the finals next year.

Shaq showed great maturity this year and proved beyond all doubt that it was him, not Kobe, who was the reason those banners are hanging in LA. I take great pleasure in knowing this will make Kobe squirm in discomfort because of the obvious implications. Shaq was refreshingly humble for a player of his stature in his post game comments about being happy to come to Miami knowing he would be the second option to D-Wade! Shaq is a winner plain and simple, he only cares about rings, not numbers. Kobe could never bring himself to be so selfless and thats why he will never win a title again unless he changes his mindset.

Shaq also stated that Riles is "the greatest coach I ever played for." I'm sure Phil won't be happy about the attention that comment will bring. Now all the questions about his greatness will arise again. No Jordan, no Shaq, no championships! Of course the same could be said for a lot of coaches but the controversy here all stems back to the ugly breakup of that Lakers dynasty. Was he just a caretaker of great talent or a great coach? Let the debate begin!

Who made out here and how? Shaq + / Kobe - /Phil -

Gary Payton finally loses the distinction of being on the list of all time most games played without a title.

Zo keeps himself from joining that undesirable club.

Twon goes from zero to hero(sort of anyway) as another Boston longtimer wins a championship, Ray Bourque style, somewhere else . I have a feeling Twons success will not be celebrated Ray Bourque style in Beantown however.

D-wade scores a knockdown in the fight between he and Kobe for leagues most popular player.
All apologies to LeBron but no one is screaming about him right now, lets watch how quickly D-Wade's jersey sales surge past everyone elses.

 

[spin]

Miami has won it in six(i predicted 7) and nobody else picked Miami, too much Dwayne Wade who established himself as one of the top five players in the NBA, hopefully next year it will be the Raptors turn(i hope).

He was pretty funny on that Cosby Show spin-off A Different World - Who would have thought a goofy looking guy with flip-up glasses would same day be named MVP of the NBA Finals

 

[kenf]

smooth

What impressed me about Wade was how effortless his play seems to be. He never seemed hurried but always under control, something Kobe doesn't yet do. Another thing I like about him is that he stays within the flow of the game and doesn't seem to thing that the you have to make an easy play look flashy, also unlike Kobe.
I think a part of his game that isn't talked about enough is his rebounding ability, both offensive and defensive. During the Heat's run in the second half he had several critical rebounds.
Interesting enough I believe he was recruited to Marquette by a coach who played high school basketball in little Chateaguay NY just over the border near Plattsburg. I also think coach O'Neil played basketball in college in Montreal. I am not sure which college. It's not Concordia who at this time is a very good program and often plays high caliber div. 1 schools in the states.

 

[EagerBeaver]

It's not Concordia who at this time is a very good program and often plays high caliber div. 1 schools in the states.

kenf,

Concordia may be a good program in Canada but I saw them lose to UConn by 68 points in an exhibition game in Storrs last year, several days after also losing to Duke by 68. I give them a lot of credit for trying to play the best American programs, but I am not sure how helpful it is to come down here and get beaten so severely. In that game UConn could have named the score and won by 90-100 points if it chose to do so.

It may be O'Neil that recruited Wade to Marquette but he was coached there by Crean who is an EXCELLENT coach. Marquette handed UConn its worst loss last year, with a team that was not nearly as talented as UConn.

I agree with your comments on Wade's game. The two words I use to describe him are smooth and efficient. He also seems to have an uncanny ability to slice through the available lanes that are open going to the hole.

 

[kenf]

correct

EB,
My comment about a good program refers to basketball in Canada. My statement about playing high level division 1 teams in the States was a supporting statement for why they are good in terms of Canadian teams. I wasn't trying to suggest they were on par with the teams in the states.

You are absolutely correct in that Crean is an excellent coach. I hope he stays and Marquette can return to the glory years of the one and only Al Maquire.

Al once said to his team at the beginning of a season when his son Allie was on the team. "I love all of you guys but Allie is my son and I love him more and he will play." Honesty with his players was instrumental in his success as a coach. The players may not have liked his message but it was clear and upfront.

Wade does have a great ability to slash through the defense, a lot of players do, but what I think sets him apart is that he stays in total control of his body and movements as he is penetrating the defense. Some guards can get in the paint but aren't able to make the porper play because of lack of control.

I hope he can always play with a good center. When he peaks in his late twentys as most do he should really be fun too watch.