NBA Playoffs

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I think you're way off on how hard it will be for the Lakers. They are healthy finally and the only team that is going to give them a series is the Cavs. They'll beat them 4-2.

What's going to be to their advantage is that they will probably win both early round series in 5-6 games. But while it may only be five games against Utah, their physical style will take more out of them than a seven game series would against the Mavs or Suns. Utah sucks big time on the road but at home they are very tough and though the Lakers are far superior talent wise, the matchup might not be so great for them. Okur will force Bynum to have to come away from the basket and then they have nobody that can stop Williams from getting to the basket. If I were Phil, I'd be most concerned with Utah than with any team in the West. Then you are looking at Portland or Houston. Portland gives them fits up there. I think the last time the Lakers won in Portland, Nixon was president. It's been a nightmare for a couple of years. The Lakers handle them pretty well at home though. The advantage against Portland is that the Blazers will be drawn into an uptempo game against them much like Michigan St was against UNC and they can't beat the Lakers more than twice that way. If they get Houston, while they again are far superior talent wise, the Rockets like to slow the games down to a walk and like the Jazz, they possess a physical challenge that you don't really want to see. I don't see any team in the West having a chance to beat the Lakers at all but I think the worst matchups for them come in the first two rounds and could wear them down just enough to give Cleveland the edge.

[blackthroatedwind]

The Celts are going to beat the Magic without Garnett? That's rich. They'll be lucky to beat the Bulls.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The Celts are going to beat the Magic without Garnett? That's rich. They'll be lucky to beat the Bulls.

andy - stick to the horses that is your niche , i assure you "king" has you outclassed in hoops

[blackthroatedwind]

I'll talk about whatever I want and considering I watch hundreds of pro hoops games every year I'll assume I'm qualified to share my opinion.

Sorry if thinking that the Magic can beat the Garnett-less Celtics is such an unreasonable opinion that you need to chastise me.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'll talk about whatever I want and considering I watch hundreds of pro hoops games every year I'll assume I'm qualified to share my opinion.

Sorry if thinking that the Magic can beat the Garnett-less Celtics is such an unreasonable opinion that you need to chastise me.

yes you are qualified , and you are entitled to your opinion , he has the series going 7 so it won't be a shock if they do beat the celtics

just remember where your circle of competence is

[blackthroatedwind]

I tell you what, Gales, if you stop posting in the racing threads, I will stop posting in off-topic threads.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I tell you what, Gales, if you stop posting in the racing threads, I will stop posting in off-topic threads.

do i get to keep my viewing rights if i agree to this?

[gales0678]

hoss you and andy are #1 and 1A in horses , just don't expect that form to translate onto the hardwood against "the king"

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'll talk about whatever I want and considering I watch hundreds of pro hoops games every year I'll assume I'm qualified to share my opinion.
Sorry if thinking that the Magic can beat the Garnett-less Celtics is such an unreasonable opinion that you need to chastise me.

Hey, I've watched thousands upon thousands of races and yet according to you, I'm not qualified to comment on them.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Hey, I've watched thousands upon thousands of races and yet according to you, I'm not qualified to comment on them.

king - maybe Andy wants to become the "gales" of the sports sections , i'm trying to warn him , but , just like me he doesn't want to listen

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

considering I watch hundreds of pro hoops games every year

Why?

1st round
Lakers over Jazz 4-1
Rockets over Blazers 4-3
Nuggets over Hornets 4-2
Spurs over Mavs 4-2

Cavs over Pistons 4-0
Heat over Hawks 4-3
Celtics over Bulls 4-2
Magic over Sixers 4-0

2nd round:
Lakers over Rockets 4-1
Spurs over Nuggets 4-3

Cavs over Heat 4-1
Magic over Celts 4-3

Conference finals:
Lakers over Spurs 4-0
Cavs over Magic 4-2

Finals:
Lakers over Cavs 4-3

WHAT?

way too close to agreeing with Cannon ball...
I need to change something.

[somerfrost]

I simply don't see any team capable of upsetting either the Cavs or the Lakers...I will be VERY surprised if they don't reach the finals. I think this will be Kobe's year, Lakers 4-2 in finals but I admit that's more hunch than anything! Magic are still a year away imo and Celtics simply can't matchup without KG, nobody in the west can seriously challenge the Lakers.

[dylbert]

NBA should skip playoff bullshit. Does anyone care?

Finals: Cavs win in six games!

Newsflash: Kobe announces his retirement after losing another title shot. He knows he will never win another NBA championship. Great individual player, lousy team player is final conclusion.

[King Glorious]

I've never seen a team with less heart and killer instinct than these Lakers. I knew that Houston would take it to them and be physical but I didn't think the Lakers would fold like they have. No way in hell they should be doing what they've done in these last two wins. None. Not without Ming. Adelman is coaching his ass off once again and Jackson is showing that once again, when he has to actually coach a team, he can't. Most overrated coach in history in my opinion. Breen just said something interesting. The Lakers all season long had never lost a game where the opponent led start to finish and now they've done it twice in three games. What a wildly inconsistent team they are. Battier played the best defense on Bryant that I've seen in a long time. He was in his face on every shot. Great win for Houston. I wasn't a Rockets fan but I am now. I love a team that plays with the heart they have shown. Win or lose, they have earned my respect.