Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Baseball Primer Newsblog > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, May 03, 2009

NBA Playoffs Thread

I estimate that only 10-12 Primates care about the NBA Playoffs, but with our own thread, we won’t detract from what this site is really about: the Duke Lacrosse case and Pavement’s discography.

robinred Posted: May 03, 2009 at 06:34 PM | 21164 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: general

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 3 of 213 pages  < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >  Last ›
   201. andrewberg Posted: May 04, 2009 at 08:53 PM (#3163461)
Vujacic? DO you know this guy, rr? Surely he must have been talking about somebody else like Devean George?


I have a theory that Vujacic is either one of your 3 favorite players or one of your 3 least favorite players, so I try to take as many subtle digs at him as possible. If there was a stat for message board conversations per in-game contribution, he would probably lead the league.
   202. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: May 04, 2009 at 08:53 PM (#3163460)
I'd still consider Bogut over Marvin...
   203. Backlasher Posted: May 04, 2009 at 08:53 PM (#3163462)
So you've been to his house? Aged wooden floors with cracks at the joints?

LOL
   204. andrewberg Posted: May 04, 2009 at 08:54 PM (#3163465)
Vujacic's best skill is pissing off the other team so much they focus on wanting to kill him.


I don't think that's even figurative.
   205. Rich Rifkin I Posted: May 04, 2009 at 08:55 PM (#3163466)
Who, besides Paul, is a better PG than Deron Williams right now?
From what I have observed as a non-Jazz fan, Deron Williams is a great player and deserves mention among the very best PGs in the game right now.

I have no idea if this means anything, but this is the ordination of 2008-09 Win Shares for PGs:

Chris Paul 17.5
Chauncey Billups 10.4
Rajon Rondo 9.7
Mo Williams 9.4
Andre Miller 8.6
Deron Williams 8.5
Jason Kidd 8.4
Tony Parker 8.3
Steve Nash 7.6
Devin Harris 7.4

With the exception of Mo Williams, who probably is overrated by Win Shares due to playing alongside LBJ, this list looks fairly accurate to me (give or take say 1 WS each) as to the best PGs of the past season (esp if you account for time lost to injury).
   206. tshipman Posted: May 04, 2009 at 09:00 PM (#3163471)
Vujacic's best skill is pissing off the other team so much they focus on wanting to kill him.


I don't think that's even figurative.


I meant it literally. I think Sasha must be the most annoying guy in the league. I don't know what it is that he does out there, but people seem to just hate him.
   207. andrewberg Posted: May 04, 2009 at 09:01 PM (#3163474)
Paul really is unbelievable. It's a testament to his transcendence that the media refused to turn on him, even as they ate the rest of the team alive for not trying, turning on the coach, being injured, getting old, or whatever else was wrong with them. In fact, some writers may have been killing Chandler, Peja, West, Posey, and the rest of that miserable bench specifically to excuse Paul from the team's regression- and he deserved it.
   208. Buddha Posted: May 04, 2009 at 09:31 PM (#3163516)
In fact, some writers may have been killing Chandler, Peja, West, Posey, and the rest of that miserable bench specifically to excuse Paul from the team's regression- and he deserved it.


If kevin were here he could tell you how peja is better than kobe, but let's not speak ill of the dead....

As to KG not being "clutch." He's not. Great team player. Great defender. But when the game is on the line, he's got Chris Webber-itis, he can't get rid of the ball fast enough. Basketball and baseball are completely different sports. In basketball, part of being clutch is wanting the ball for that final shot. You can easily run and hide and let someone else take the last shot. In baseball, if it's not your turn to bat, there's nothing you can do.

And the bully act of KG he does wears thin on me. Reminds me a lot of Alonzo Mourning and the #### he used to pull to be a "tough" guy.

Besides, none of them can live up to the my favorite bully: Bill Laimbeer. :)
   209. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: May 04, 2009 at 09:52 PM (#3163546)
I don't post a whole helluva lot but let me just say that the basketball threads on here are enjoyable as hell -- you guys know your #### and are actually forcing my hand a bit (in that I think I might make an effort to catch some non-Finals games this year (besides the Bulls series) -- the LAL/Houston matchup looks particularly intriguing, even if LAL is a heavy favorite). I really wish there was a thread like this (was there one?) during the NCAA tourney -- I would've loved to have shouted at the top of my lungs how a healthy Marquette team would've been Elite 8 bound.
   210. andrewberg Posted: May 04, 2009 at 10:04 PM (#3163559)
I would've loved to have shouted at the top of my lungs how a healthy Marquette team would've been Elite 8 bound.


True, true. At least that's the impression I got when I watched my beleaguered Hoyas play some of their worst D since the Esherick years.

I think the reason the basketball threads are fun is that they aren't as common. Maybe the two most popular threads right now are basketball and newspapers, but there have still been more posts today on baseball threads. And once my other hobby's thread goes away, I'll go back to baseball. Unless somebody posts a WWE, Grateful Dead, or NCAA Football 2009 thread...
   211. robinred Posted: May 04, 2009 at 10:56 PM (#3163605)
I think some people aren't getting my "comparison:"

but it is important to remember that he handled all the years playing on crap teams far, far better than Kobe did (who only played on three teams with no chance to do much) and just last year, many people who were not Celtics fans were happy that he was getting his shot at a ring. Basically, I see KG like I see Kobe: the same guy in a new situation.


The point was that the perception of many of the two IMO has to do with context, not any changes in the guys themselves. Many Lakers fans (and now Bulls fans) think KG is a prick now--but I think he's probably the same guy he was in Minnesota. You may think he is a great guy, like andrew does, or that he is just a guy who competes hard and has some annoying mannerisms, like I do, but it is the situation that has changed, not him. If the Lakers had him, 99% of those same people would love him. Same with the Bulls--both fanbases were lusting after KG when he was on the block two winters ago. A lot of people seem to think Kobe's dickishness (which, like his playing skill, is I think a bit overamplified) was a big reason the Lakers sucked three years ago and that he is more mature now; I think he is probably pretty much the same guy, just with better players around him.

As to their games, it is tougher in some respects for a post player to be a go-to guy in the 4th due to double-teaming and zones. Garnett does have some moves he can go to when he is facing the rim, but it is easier to get the ball out of his hands than it is to get the ball out of a guy like Kobe's--which is, of course, both good and bad. Sometimes Kobe forces shots when he shouldn't, and that generally gets attributed to his "being a dick." But the last couple of years, he usually only "takes over" or tries to, when the team seems to want that, (like Game 4 in Utah) and I think the 5-for-24 games, like Game 3 in Utah, are as much about his limitations as a player as they are about his personality. I recall an article about Bill Bradley which said that Bradley had some unique elements in his visual perception and peripheral vision that made him able to be a great passer.

Don't get me wrong--having played a lot of ball, I know that passing is partly a decision. But it is also a talent, and I think that Kobe is about as good as he can be.
   212. robinred Posted: May 04, 2009 at 11:04 PM (#3163614)

I agree with RR that the finals won't be completely one-sided. Cleveland's defense is probably the deciding factor, but the Lakers looked so good in that game that ended Cleveland's home streak, that I can't completely write them off.


This is an understatement. The Lakers kicked Cleveland's ass both times they saw them, once without Bynum, and went 65-17 even though Bynum missed 32 games. I think it will go 6 or 7, if they both get there. LeBron will have to go "40-12-8" four or five times for the Cavs to win.

And he may well do just that. Before I get dismissed as a Laker fanboy, I picked the Celtics (in 7, not 6) last year before the Finals when a lot of people in the

But first things first. Houston is not going to be easy.
   213. Rich Rifkin I Posted: May 04, 2009 at 11:09 PM (#3163621)
But first things first. Houston is not going to be easy.
LA 4 - HOU 1
   214. tshipman Posted: May 04, 2009 at 11:12 PM (#3163626)
This is an understatement. The Lakers kicked Cleveland's ass both times they saw them, once without Bynum, and went 65-17 even though Bynum missed 32 games. I think it will go 6 or 7, if they both get there. LeBron will have to go "40-12-8" four or five times for the Cavs to win.


The scary part about the Cavs for me, as a Laker fan, is that Odom will have to play consistently well for the Lakers to win. The idea of Odom NEEDING to be consistent over a 7 game series scares the hell out of me.
   215. Backlasher Posted: May 04, 2009 at 11:38 PM (#3163658)
...three years ago...

IIRC, I mentioned at that relevant time that I thought Kobe had has best season yet and was starting to grow as a player and a person (he was the epitome of spoiled brat in his early years). IIRC, that all changed in the playoffs when he started that "Its not me, its them" crap, and wanted to reprise his Theo Epstein drama queen performance.

In fact, I thought our major disagreement during that period was whether guys like Odom, Vujacic, etc were "good players." I think we did agree that your team has a problem if Luke Walton is your third best player.

Regardless, it is not a fair assessment of Kobe's growth and change as a player. The transformation wasn't last year after the Gasol trade. It was about three years ago. It just hit its peak, and we saw what kind of player Kobe could be, last summer on Team USA.

I haven't watched the Lakers as much this year as in previous years. If for no other reason, Phil Jackson gives me the sour belches worse than Kobe. However, in the games I have seen, he has learned how to play a role with his team rather than worrying about whether someone else is going to get a little attention from the media.

If Bynam stays healthy, and Pau remembers this isn't the Euroleague or dancin with the stars, then the Lakers are going to be tough to beat, even with their Jurassic Point Guard.
   216. The Ghost, elitist lollygagging neck-stabber Posted: May 05, 2009 at 12:13 AM (#3163700)
Same old Celts - Rondo can't hit a short J, Perkins wastes one of his fouls.
   217. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 12:20 AM (#3163711)
For those interested in the next generation of players, John Wall was charged with breaking and entering. Look for Tark to make a comeback and sign Wall to a LOI.
   218. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 12:34 AM (#3163746)
Before he was arrested, I was wondering if wall would be the guy who could make cal an overnight success at uk. Now that he has filled up his rap sheet, it's a given.
   219. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 12:45 AM (#3163780)
I was watching the 91 finals on YouTube, and I noticed a similarity between Lebron and Jordan that speaks to the point about kobe's inherent limitations as a passer. At that point in his career, Jordan knew where everyone was going before they got there; he saw holes in the defense as he anticipated help defenders sliding to other assignments. Once he identified these openings, he could react and deliver the ball like lightning. Lebron anticipates and delivers with similar suddenness- an ability Kobe has never had. Kobe, for all his meticulous preparation and flawless technique, is a less sudden player. He strategizes and executes better than anyone, but he doesn't have the natural fluidity that lebron shares with Jordan. Mj also had that perfect technique, and if Lebron ever developed that skill to to with his size and athleticism, he would be true sports evolution.
   220. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: May 05, 2009 at 01:10 AM (#3163841)
Won't happen, but Wall recently made noises about checking out NCCU (recent D1 entrart and HBCU). That would be really neat if he chose them.
   221. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 02:10 AM (#3164005)
RE: Wall

Every time I see news on Wall, his colleges under consideration seems to grow.

Reggie Miller advocates for young players to go to smaller D1 programs. He thinks Steph Curry was able to get better experiences making his own mistakes at a Davidson than just rotating to an open perimeter shot at a Duke or UNC.

Nevertheless, I presume Ol' Roy is still going to make a strong run. I don't think he is comfortable with Drew at the point. K likes him and would like to move Eliot Williams to SG.
   222. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: May 05, 2009 at 02:24 AM (#3164061)
I don't think he is comfortable with Drew at the point.

Nor should he be. That said, I don't see Wall in CH, not at all.
   223. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 02:29 AM (#3164080)
I've been camping out here for a while hoping someone would come back to the NBA thread.

Reggie Miller dropped this one on us earlier in the game: "When Davis doesn't come back on defense, it gives the other team the advantage on offense."
   224. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:10 AM (#3164231)
The Magic-Celtics game didn't appeal to me, but I'm gonna be all over this Rockets-Lakers match up. BOOOOO Lakers!
   225. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:13 AM (#3164239)
Hatred for Vujacic rising...
   226. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:15 AM (#3164250)
In fact, the hatred meter has already exploded. Fracking weasel.
   227. Melo's Love Handles (NJ) Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:17 AM (#3164258)
I click over from the Yankee game and it looks like I'm watching the WWF. What happened to Battier?
   228. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:21 AM (#3164276)
Vujacic elbowed him in the face. A few minutes earlier, Kobe also threw an elbow at Battier... Naturally, the refs did not see either effort. Yao is out of the game with two touch fouls, one called after Odom threw the ball out of bounds.
   229. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:22 AM (#3164278)
Orlando couldn't use a guy like Ariza? He's got athleticism coming out of his pores.
   230. Melo's Love Handles (NJ) Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:27 AM (#3164290)
I think Doug Collins should announce playoff games never because he puts me to sleep.
   231. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:31 AM (#3164305)
I suppose they bank on Kevin Harlan providing the excitement. Still, it feels like Collins is an excellent color man in terms of actual game knowledge. The coaches and players seem to love him as well. If I had my druthers, it'd be Breen, Van Gundy and Jackson... If I had a time machine, it'd be Albert, Van Gundy and Fratello.
   232. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:33 AM (#3164306)
I dunno if the Lakers are just rusty or what, but they look totally out of sync.
   233. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:53 AM (#3164358)
Houston looks good, but they are working so hard to score. They're going deep into shot clocks on about every other possession. They need to get some easier buckets, maybe by letting Lowry create off the dribble a little more; he's moving at will with Fischer on him.
   234. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:54 AM (#3164362)
   235. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:08 AM (#3164395)
The Magic-Celtics game didn't appeal to me

The second half of that game was one of the worst looking stretches of playoff basketball eva. Three-point brick put up by Orlando- followed by two-point brick by Celtics- followed by bail out whistle and two free throws. Wash, rinse, repeat. I'll bet the total number of field goals by both teams in that second half couldn't have been much higher than 20.

I'm a Laker fan and in my life "I" have received the benefit of more star calls than probably any other fan, but I'm convinced that NBA officiating is reaching new lows in terms of deference to certain teams and players. The first half of the Rockets-Lakers game was no exception. Call the game- not the jerseys please.
   236. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:17 AM (#3164423)
Andrew Bynum sighting.
   237. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:19 AM (#3164430)
So amazing... It's amazing.
   238. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:25 AM (#3164453)
The Lakers are trying way to hard to get Bynum the focal point. I don't know why; the guy hasn't played regularly in months.
   239. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:26 AM (#3164456)
Derek Fisher has no chance against Brooks.
   240. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:29 AM (#3164465)
Yeah, and it's getting embarrassing. I thought Farmar was supposed to get minutes tonight, but that hasn't happened yet. I know he hasn't played well offensively, but he's at least got a chance to stay with Brooks.
   241. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:31 AM (#3164478)
Speak of the devil, there's Farmar now.
   242. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:32 AM (#3164483)
Derek Fisher has no chance against Brooks.


Fisher isn't even guarding Brooks when he's standing still. It's awful. And Odom has been asleep. Without Kobe heating up, this would be a blowout.
   243. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:41 AM (#3164505)
On the other hand, I don't think the Rockets can play any better, and they're holding on to a 3 point lead. If the Lakers actually put together some semblance of a defensive stand at any point, this game turns around. Then again, there's no reason to believe that'll happen.
   244. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:58 AM (#3164577)
Sasha cannot guard Brooks either... It's a mismatch that Phil Jackson cannot forget about if he wants to win this series.
   245. Alex_Lewis Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:00 AM (#3164586)
Oh, no...
   246. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:02 AM (#3164593)
Oh, this can't possibly be good.
   247. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:05 AM (#3164609)
Is that all we're going to get? 42 good minutes of basketball? I feel sorry for the Houston people. Darryl, if you're reading, I'm sorry. I was just watching some McGrady highlights today (the game where he scored 13 points in 35 seconds to beat SA) and thought that this team would be right with LAL if he was healthy at playing at that level. Losing Yao would be tragic. At least it looks like he's coming back...
   248. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:09 AM (#3164621)
Not that I expect the GM to be on a baseball message board during the game...

Who says the stars get all the calls? Kobe prayed for that loose ball, and the ref almost laughed at him. That was a great exchange.
   249. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:12 AM (#3164637)
Game over. This is a terrific, physical, aggressive game by the Rockets. The Lakers don't look like contenders tonight.
   250. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:12 AM (#3164640)
The only LAL starter with more points than FGA with 1:30 to go- Ariza with 10 points, 8 FGA.
   251. Melo's Love Handles (NJ) Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:21 AM (#3164649)
Vujacic seems like a douche.
   252. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:25 AM (#3164651)
They say Motumbo never thought he was guilty of committing a foul, but Vujacic is the first guy I've seen to complain about being whistled after intentionally fouling someone to stop the clock.
   253. Melo's Love Handles (NJ) Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:27 AM (#3164652)
They say Motumbo never thought he was guilty of committing a foul, but Vujacic is the first guy I've seen to complain about being whistled after intentionally fouling someone to stop the clock.

Seriously. wtf.
   254. Crispix Attacks Posted: May 05, 2009 at 06:07 AM (#3164657)
Speak of the devil, there's Farmar now.


Anti-semite.
   255. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 02:37 PM (#3164866)
Of the two games last night, I think the Houston/LA game was more of a fluke. Meaning, we saw a perfect meeting of a great game from the Rockets and a terrible game from the Lakers. LA looked a little rusty and out of sync early, and I think anytime Kobe takes 31 shots it's too much (unless he's hitting about 2/3 of them). The defense was slow all night. But like someone up thread said, the Rockets still had to work hard all night to score. I don't know if they'll be able to do that enough to win the series.

However, I think the Magic/Celtics game is more typical of what we should expect this series. Boston is drained right now. Pierce tried to carry the team for a couple of stretches, but he just doesn't have the legs to work that hard an entire game. Ray Allen is going to have games likes this just because of his age. This is more typical of what we should expect out of Rondo (not the 22/10/10/1TO from the Bulls series), but 7TO for him is ridiculous. But that's the difference between Rose and Skip defensively. I don't expect both teams to go through huge shooting slumps like both did tonight, that was crazy.
   256. Guapo Posted: May 05, 2009 at 02:48 PM (#3164879)
Let's go Caps!
   257. The Essex Snead Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:00 PM (#3164887)
If I had my druthers, it'd be Breen, Van Gundy and Jackson

When those dopes actually focus on the damn game (and by "dopes" I mean Breen & Van Gundy, as Marc Jackson is a waste of space), they're one of the best announcer / analyst combos available. Contrast that w/ Marv & Mike Fratello, where I don't mind if they talk about the game or their love-hate relationship, mostly because NOTE TO ABC they save the shtick for when the game's not happening. If I had my druthers, Dan Schulman and Hubie Brown would do as many games as possible, and Reggie Miller would be dropped off the coast of Florida with his sister & Craig Sager's sartorial flair.

The RM moment re: Big Baby getting bopped on the head and "causing" the 5-on-4 was a highlight, but I was also partial to Reggie talking over a clip of Marbury hitting a 20-foot jumper, and misidentifying it as a 3. On two seperate occassions. With Marbury's feet & the 3-point arc (& Marbury's back foot clearly ON THE LINE) in the shot.
   258. JDLink Posted: May 05, 2009 at 03:12 PM (#3164904)
Let's go Caps!

That was a great game last night. Far better than any of the "basketball" that was played.
   259. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:06 PM (#3165001)
That was a great game last night. Far better than any of the "basketball" that was played.


Feel free to submit an NHL Playoffs thread to bookend this one.
   260. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:34 PM (#3165041)
That was a great game last night. Far better than any of the "basketball" that was played.

There's more than enough time and space in the world to enjoy baseball, hockey, and basketball. Why does basketball get scare quotes? I could do the same thing for the "hockey" game last night. Ovechkin's 3rd goal was nice, but Fleury really should have been able to stop it. And I don't know if Crosby's third goal goes in without the suspension-worthy cross check on Varlamov. But the home team winning isn't as big of a story as the road team winning 2 game 1s. Especially the Rockets beating the Lakers.
   261. JDLink Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:39 PM (#3165048)
There's more than enough time and space in the world to enjoy baseball, hockey, and basketball. Why does basketball get scare quotes?

I was trying to be a bit snarky, but that got lost.

To be clear -there has been some very good basketball played this year, just not last night. This is why I put it in quotes.
   262. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: May 05, 2009 at 04:54 PM (#3165077)
J.J. Adande must have had robin in mind when he wrote this after the Rockets-Lakers game last night.

James got his first Most Valuable Player award Monday. Bryant had a chance to upstage him, but couldn't. During his first trip to the free throw line a few scattered "M-V-P" chants went up around Staples Center, but they were more feeble than they've sounded in years. This isn't his time. At this point, it's like going to the garage to slap a McCain/Palin bumper sticker on your car.


Ouch!
   263. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:05 PM (#3165091)
Dan Schulman and Hubie Brown

There are few telecasts by Brown where I don't learn something new. He was also the coach of the Hawks when I started watching the NBA, so I mark out for him. I remeber one game, Tree Rollins got into a scuffle with Wes Unseld; Hubie hit the floor and was about to go after Unseld.

Boston is drained right now. Pierce tried to carry the team for a couple of stretches, but he just doesn't have the legs to work that hard an entire game. Ray Allen is going to have games likes this just because of his age. This is more typical of what we should expect out of Rondo (not the 22/10/10/1TO from the Bulls series), but 7TO for him is ridiculous.

Yes, Rondo looked the most tired. Those 2 free throws where he hit an airball and then barely hit the front of the rim were very telling.

But that's the difference between Rose and Skip defensively.

Alston's contribution to the Magic is a bit underrated. They would still be a far different team with Jameer, but he does provide good on ball defense, and can run the team adequately.

Nevertheless, I don't think he could have done what Aaron Brooks did last night. (more below)

But like someone up thread said, the Rockets still had to work hard all night to score.

Except with Brooks. Last night, the Lakers got outcoached. Phil Jackson has always had this strange habit of getting a woodie on some mediocre player and giving them minutes when there are much better options. Right now he's got a hardon for Shannon Brown, and has put Farmar in his doghouse. Farmar is the defender he needs for Brooks. Jurassic Fisher is not going to be able to guard him. Jackson's one good move of putting Vucacic on Wafer was immediately nuetralized when Adelman went to Brooks and Lowery.

Also, props to Yao. I think some of Artest has rubbed off on him. At one point, I think he told Pau, "You're my #####, this series."

LA looked a little rusty and out of sync early, and I think anytime Kobe takes 31 shots it's too much (unless he's hitting about 2/3 of them).

I agree. I think he took just about the right number in the first half. Very few were forced. He just shot poorly and that is going to happen from time to time. However, in the 3rd quarter we saw the transition to Mamba. What is worse for the Lakers is that he made a few shots, so you got a full game full of Mamba. In most of those shots, Battier had a hand so far in his face he could have picked his nose.

Instead of exploiting the mismatch and spacing the Lakers were getting with Bynum and Odom, it was Mamba jumpers. When they didn't fall, it was Kobe flinging himself against other players in the painted area.

Houston can defend the penetration; survive contested Js, etc. Houston is going to have major trouble defending all of the Lakers post options and spot up shooters. Houstan's best chance is More Mamba.
   264. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:15 PM (#3165106)
During his first trip to the free throw line

That was a major secret to the success. During most of the time when the game was originally in question, Houston kept Mamba off the free throw line IN LA. If the Rockets can keep the clamps on Mamba and pull off another win, expect to see the Stern Squad (Dick Bavetta's crew or Bennett Salvatore's crew) to show up in Game 3 and give Mamba about 27 free throws.
   265. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:18 PM (#3165112)
Farmar is the defender he needs for Brooks.

Farmar can't defend anyone, particularly not Brooks. Farmar's also played very poorly in the second half and is not, in any way, a better defensive player than Fisher or Brown. Brown is a vastly superior defensive player to Farmar and because he's been shooting well (which may be a fluke) he's been getting the minutes.

In any case, if the Brooks problem persists, expect to see Ariza on him for crucial stretches. His length allows to play back a step and he is as quick as any guard on the team.
   266. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:20 PM (#3165114)
If the Rockets can keep the clamps on Mamba and pull off another win, expect to see the Stern Squad (Dick Bavetta's crew or Bennett Salvatore's crew) to show up in Game 3 and give Mamba about 27 free throws.

I hope not. After watching the third quarter of the Celtics game I'm beginning to wonder if the league isn't going to just put jerseys on certain officials to avoid anymore confusion.
   267. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:22 PM (#3165120)
There are few telecasts by Brown where I don't learn something new. He was also the coach of the Hawks when I started watching the NBA, so I mark out for him. I remeber one game, Tree Rollins got into a scuffle with Wes Unseld; Hubie hit the floor and was about to go after Unseld.

Yeah, Hubie Brown is far and away the best. He's just dry, and can come across as uninterested to a casual fan. But he's a natural teacher, and he's always teaching. I love it. I wish we would have had a game during the Bulls/Celtics series just to hear him talk about everything VDN and Doc were doing wrong. I hate Doug Collins at times. He does know a lot, but he's wrong a lot too. Here's a nice rant by Kelly Dwyer on Collins (scroll down to the Philly/Chicago section).

Alston's contribution to the Magic is a bit underrated. They would still be a far different team with Jameer, but he does provide good on ball defense, and can run the team adequately.

He's a much better defender than Jameer, but a worse shooter and more turnover prone. Orlando has had problems all year when they just fall in love with shooting 3s, and that's stayed with they had to go with Skip; the problem of course is that Jameer is so much better at shooting 3s and for the most part picks better spots to shoot them.

Also, props to Yao. I think some of Artest has rubbed off on him. At one point, I think he told Pau, "You're my #####, this series."

I missed that. But yeah, that's great to hear. He needs a bit of a mean streak. Houston really struggled getting him the ball early (which was surprising after Bynum's quick fouls), but Artest was making shots so they never really fell behind.

Except with Brooks. Last night, the Lakers got outcoached. Phil Jackson has always had this strange habit of getting a woodie on some mediocre player and giving them minutes when there are much better options. Right now he's got a hardon for Shannon Brown, and has put Farmar in his doghouse. Farmar is the defender he needs for Brooks. Jurassic Fisher is not going to be able to guard him. Jackson's one good move of putting Vucacic on Wafer was immediately nuetralized when Adelman went to Brooks and Lowery.

Good point. I kinda forget about Fisher, and then always wonder why he plays so much. He's basically House or Pargo with a better reputation. Phil has always loved him more than he should. I think Brown is adequate defensively (he was quite good in college), but he hasn't been with the Lakers long enough really fit into the team defense as well as Farmar.
   268. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:26 PM (#3165128)
Houston can defend the penetration; survive contested Js, etc. Houston is going to have major trouble defending all of the Lakers post options and spot up shooters. Houstan's best chance is More Mamba.

And I wanted to put this in another post, but this deserves a hearty "Well said." I 100% CONCUR.
   269. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:27 PM (#3165131)
After watching the third quarter of the Celtics game I'm beginning to wonder if the league isn't going to just put jerseys on certain officials to avoid anymore confusion.

Don't get me started on this; I could go on and on for hours just on the Bulls/Celtics series. And it's not just the officials....ok, rant averted.
   270. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:35 PM (#3165140)
I agree. I think he took just about the right number in the first half. Very few were forced. He just shot poorly and that is going to happen from time to time. However, in the 3rd quarter we saw the transition to Mamba. What is worse for the Lakers is that he made a few shots, so you got a full game full of Mamba. In most of those shots, Battier had a hand so far in his face he could have picked his nose.
Concur, but I do think Bryant was essentially forced to do that because his teammates never showed up. Odom was invisible the whole night (9 points, 5 boards, 1-6 from the line?!), Bynum could only stay on the floor for 15 minutes all game, Gasol didn't even hit double digits until (I think the 4th quarter). The supporting cast was only 1-11 from the arc. It seemed as if the rest of the Lakers were holding their breath, waiting for another miraculous Bryant explosion to carry the day, and he tried to give it to them. That's not how the offense is supposed to work.

Jackson seems to be coaching scared. He's afraid to leave Bynum on the floor, he's afraid to take his beloved Fisher off the floor, he's afraid to use Farmar. And allowing 57 points allowed in the second half, at home? In the playoffs? Embarrassing.
   271. tshipman Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:36 PM (#3165143)
Instead of exploiting the mismatch and spacing the Lakers were getting with Bynum and Odom, it was Mamba jumpers. When they didn't fall, it was Kobe flinging himself against other players in the painted area.

Houston can defend the penetration; survive contested Js, etc. Houston is going to have major trouble defending all of the Lakers post options and spot up shooters. Houstan's best chance is More Mamba.


I definitely agree with this. However, as frustrating as last night's game was, I'm not really that concerned with the series. The Lakers shot horribly, executed horribly, and forgot to guard Brooks.
I feel like that was a horrible game by the Lakers and they still had a decent chance to win. Shooting 2/17 from three or whatever it was at the end is no way to win a basketball game.

The prescription is simple: fix the Brooks penetration problem, knock down some threes, go hard in the post against Scola's man. I'd expect a game 2 blowout win (which always seems to happen after a favorite loses game 1).

We won't really know much about the series until game 3. Winner of game 3 wins the series, I think.

Oh, and I think Boston is cooked.
   272. Rich Rifkin I Posted: May 05, 2009 at 05:57 PM (#3165181)
I think the Houston/LA game was more of a fluke.
Game 2 will go a long way to show if it was a fluke or not. What jumped out at me, watching it, was that almost everything on the court was about even: Houston made 35 field goals (.479), the Lakers made 39 (.443); Houston had 35 rebounds, the Lakers 39; Houston had 16 assists, the Lakers 18; Houston had 16 turnovers, the Lakers 13; and Houston had 8 steals, the Lakers 11. However, the one aspect of the game in which Houston completely dominated (and thus the reason they won) was that the Rockets got to the free-throw line 29 times (making 25), while L.A. shot only 19 free-throws and made only 12 (with Lamar Odom* going 1-6). Houston won by 8 points after outscoring the Lakers by 13 at the FT line.

We'll find out in Game 2 if that disparity was just a fluke. It isn't uncommon, though, to have one team make it the the free-throw line far more than the other in a series. That doesn't reflect officiating bias (normally). It's usually a byproduct of aggressive, penetrating offense (Hou) versus a team of jump-shooters (L.A.?).

*Odom is a weak outside shooter in general (beyond 15 feet), and has become a poor free-throw shooter. He made just 62 percent of his FT's this year, his worst ever.
   273. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 06:32 PM (#3165243)
Game 2 will go a long way to show if it was a fluke or not.


I don't think it was a fluke, since the Rockets won the game without shooting lights out--.479 overall and 5/18 on 3s. The Lakers were 2/17 on 3s, which probably won't happen again but nothing else says "fluke." I see three keys to Game 2:

1. I posted at FBG and said the same thing tshipman said: everyone is pissed off about the offense, but first and foremost they need to do a better job on Brooks, by using Farmar and Brown more, and adjusting the scheme to keep him out of the lane more. And Kobe needs to work harder on Artest. Like my HS coach said, "If you need to rest, rest on on the bench or offense. Never on defense." You can live with Yao scoring 28--but not with Artest and Brooks combining for 40. As frustrating as it is watching Kobe launch contested jumpers all night (he shot 26 jumpers, making 9), the team still scored 92 points, enough to beat the Rockets if you do the job on D. You give up 100 to the Rockets, you are done.

2. Adelman said the game plan was based on keeping Kobe away from the rim, and they did that. keying the FT disparity. Of course everyone SAYS they want to do that, but the Rockets actually have the personnel to make it happen. If they can do it consistently, they can take the series. The Lakers also need to force the pace--that is yet another reason Farmar, warts and all, should get more burn.

3. Use Gasol/Odom/Bynum in high/low to attack Scola/Hayes/Landry on the blocks and move the ball better in general (this is the one thing Luke Walton brings to the table and he's out).

One macro-note: I was very wrong about the Lakers two years ago--I never thought this team would be this good (and even if they lose to Houston or Denver, that statement still holds). One reason for that is that I never thought that Kupchak would be able to get a good big man without trading Odom or Bynum. Wrong. Another reason was while the team has a vet core, it does have a few young guys, notably Bynum, Vujacic, and Farmar, who are rotation players. And Phil Jackson, in his 60s with nine rings, is a guy who is going to go with vets. Last year, it seemed I was wrong about that, too. But this year, Farmar and Vujacic have regressed; working Bynum in with Odom and Gasol seems to be becoming a problem rather than an asset. That is not all on Jackson, of course--Farmar and Vujacic just aren't that good and Bynum is still a kid who gets hurt--but some of it is. And, in this series, Farmar and Bynum do specific things that the team needs that Fisher and Odom can't do. We will see if Jackson gets that.
   274. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 06:41 PM (#3165261)
Fluke was a poor choice of wording on my part. I meant that I don't expect the rest of the series to look like last night, as opposed to the other game which I think will look a lot like their game 1.
   275. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: May 05, 2009 at 06:52 PM (#3165286)
Of course everyone SAYS they want to do that, but the Rockets actually have the personnel to make it happen.

Honestly, it's central to how they've built the team (to my eyes).
   276. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 06:57 PM (#3165291)
Fluke was a poor choice of wording on my part.


I wasn't picking on that word, per se. But like I said, Houston didn't shoot 55% or make 13 3s or something that is not repeatable percentage-wise. Brooks and Artest, who were 15/29 from the field, with three treys from Artest, were the key. If they do that three more times, Houston will win. EDIT: they probably won't .862 from the stripe again, either.

Farmar maynot be able to defend Brooks, but he has a better chance than Fisher. Fisher seldom makes mistakes, so he is useful in a situation where the Lakers are picking the other team apart, he can spot up and shoot jumpers, and move the ball in the half-court set. But in this matchup, the Lakers need to be aggressive and play some in transition, which means PJ should give Farmar a chance. When Fisher goes 0-4 on 3s, as he did last night, he is hurting the team.

As far as Kobe, again, the truth is in the middle. He forced some shots, but he does that when the other guys are playing like crap, and he is not Magic Johnson (or even Michael Jordan) as a passer.
   277. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3165305)
Of course everyone SAYS they want to do that, but the Rockets actually have the personnel to make it happen.

Honestly, it's central to how they've built the team (to my eyes).
Yet the Lakers were still 4-0 against Houston in the regular season. The key was early ineffectiveness by Bynum and Gasol — you can't come up totally empty in the post — and of course the bad shooting from 3. It's strange to see why the Lakers would seem to be intimidated inside by a team they've essentially owned this season.

BTW, I think Artest deserves extra credit for getting Kobe's attention. I'm curious to see how disciplined Bryant will be the rest of the series, what with Artest having called him out in the past and then getting the upper hand in this series.
   278. Lassus Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3165309)
What is WRONG with you people?
   279. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:03 PM (#3165315)
Gasol


He shot .567 for the year but was 6/14 last night. I would hit him on the blocks against Scola early in Game 2.
   280. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:04 PM (#3165319)
What is WRONG with you people?

We are all victims of the liberal media.
   281. Shredder Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:09 PM (#3165334)
Game 2 will go a long way to show if it was a fluke or not. What jumped out at me, watching it, was that almost everything on the court was about even
What stood out for me was the major lack of any emotion from anyone in the building associated with the Lakers. The players played like they didn't care. The fans acted like they didn't care. Even when the Lakers made runs there was almost no energy in the building. Maybe it was the lay-off, but they need to start acting like they can do more than just show up. I was really surprised at how quiet it was all night.
   282. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:11 PM (#3165340)
Yet the Lakers were still 4-0 against Houston in the regular season.

I didn't say they were wholly successful. :)
   283. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:15 PM (#3165351)
What stood out for me was the major lack of any emotion from anyone in the building associated with the Lakers. The players played like they didn't care. The fans acted like they didn't care. Even when the Lakers made runs there was almost no energy in the building. Maybe it was the lay-off, but they need to start acting like they can do more than just show up. I was really surprised at how quiet it was all night
.

Well, it all goes together–-the visceral part of the game and the Xs and Os. This team is very good but not truly dominant. Yet, sometimes they play as though they think they are truly dominant, which leads to mediocre effort on defense–-the most tangible sign of an overconfident team. Then when they get in trouble they tighten up, and count too much on Kobe--which might work if he really were Jordan, but he isn't. Add in Phil Jackson's detachment...it can be a problem when things go poorly.

I do think the fanbase was collectively overconfident about this series. And, it is sometimes tough for the hardcore blue-collar/middle-class fans to get playoff tickets. I think there will be more fire/noise tomorrow.
   284. karkface killah Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:25 PM (#3165378)
Major propers to Artest for his new hair cut. One of my favorite players.
   285. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:25 PM (#3165379)
The key was early ineffectiveness by Bynum and Gasol — you can't come up totally empty in the post —

Bynum played a good game when he was on the floor. It isn't like he caught MikkiMoore diesease either. He only had foul problems in the 1st quarter.

We are all victims of the liberal media.


Lakers bias?

he is not Magic Johnson (or even Michael Jordan) as a passer.

Last night, I'm not even sure if he was Jeff Jordan as a passer.
   286. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:29 PM (#3165385)
Bynum played a good game when he was on the floor. It isn't like he caught MikkiMoore diesease either. He only had foul problems in the 1st quarter.


Yep. Bynum scored 10 points in 15 minutes and was 5-10 from the field. He did have 3 PFs, but he should be getting 25-30 minutes a game in this series.
   287. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:32 PM (#3165390)
Concur on Bynum, I thought he looked pretty good and watching him and Yao go head to head was a lot of fun. I hope Bynum can stay on the court some more, I think the Lakers will need it.
   288. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 07:33 PM (#3165393)
Last night, I'm not even sure if he was Jeff Jordan as a passer.

Jeff appears to realize his limitations as a basketball player. I think he's done a good job, considering the implications of being Michael's son. He doesn't try to do things that he can't (sadly, he appears to simply be a solid defender who knows the offense) and has accepted his role.
   289. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 08:10 PM (#3165486)
Then when they get in trouble they tighten up, and count too much on Kobe--which might work if really were Jordan, but he isn't. Add in Phil Jackson's detachment...it can be a problem when things go poorly.
This is going to be especially problematic if/when the Lakers do get to the Finals and meet the Cavs, because Cleveland actually does have the Next Jordan.
   290. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 08:57 PM (#3165588)
The fans acted like they didn't care.


That was weird to me, too. Even when LA looked a little frisky in the last 3 minutes, the crowd was completely disengaged. Bad traffic, I guess.


I was impressed with Brooks, like everyone else, but both he and Artest shot about as well as they are going to from distance. I wouldn't say they were red-hot from the field, but we better than usual on shot selection. They got the ball into Yao more than usual, which led to a much more efficient offense that usual.

The Lakers should bounce back in game 2; I agree with rr that Gasol will be a much bigger factor, although I will give some credit to Scola for annoying him and keeping him from getting position early in the shot clock. Oh, and Bynum needs to stop thinking he's a jump shooter.

Boston looked dead tired to me, which was obviously a risk going into the series, but that hardly excuses their intense sloppiness. How about some more minutes for Starbury? He's the freshest guy in the series, and he had a hot hand.

Any predictions for tonight?

In the early game, I think Atlanta will do what everybody else does- coming out focused on Lebron-, and Lebron will be a distributor and opportunistic scorer for the first quarter, and the game will be within 5 points at the end of the first. By the end of the third he will quietly have 20+ points and about 7-8 assists, and Cleveland will lead by about 10. Atlanta will start trying to force offense in the fourth quarter, which plays into Cleveland's disciplined approach, and they will keep Atlanta under 15 points for the first 10 minutes of the 4th quarter, eventually winning about about 17 points. I'll say the final is 98-81. Al Horford won't show up, Murray will have less than one point per shot, and Ilgauskus will have a surprisingly efficient game.

I think I have been underrating Denver because Carmelo has been so deferential for the last couple of months. I took it as him not caring, but when he aggressively seeks his own shot like he did in game 1, that team has a very dynamic offensive attack. I think Kidd will bounce back- he has been great in the last couple of months and round 1, but was terrible in the last game. I thought Dallas would win this series going in because they looked so comfortable on offense, but they were definitely disrupted. I will say that Dallas keeps it closer, but Denver pulls out a close one while getting some calls in the last 5 minutes, and Carmelo scoring 30. Denver wins 107-102.
   291. jmurph Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:06 PM (#3165608)
I think the Dallas-Denver series might hinge on this game, not to be too dramatic. I'm going with Dallas.

This is going to be especially problematic if/when the Lakers do get to the Finals and meet the Cavs, because Cleveland actually does have the Next Jordan.


If that is the matchup in the finals (and the Cavs are a lock to get there), the Lakers have no chance. I'll be happy to actually make that wager if/when the time comes. Nothing is stopping the Cavs this year, barring injury.
   292. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:14 PM (#3165622)
If that is the matchup in the finals (and the Cavs are a lock to get there), the Lakers have no chance.


Talking about the Finals with the Lakers down 1-0 to Houston is pretty pointless, but if they get there, they most certainly do have a good chance. I assume you are just feeling cocky because of the way Game 1 of the Hou/LA series went after the stuff you said about it.

In the early game, I think Atlanta will do what everybody else does- coming out focused on Lebron-, and Lebron will be a distributor and opportunistic scorer for the first quarter, and the game will be within 5 points at the end of the first. By the end of the third he will quietly have 20+ points and about 7-8 assists, and Cleveland will lead by about 10. Atlanta will start trying to force offense in the fourth quarter, which plays into Cleveland's disciplined approach, and they will keep Atlanta under 15 points for the first 10 minutes of the 4th quarter, eventually winning about about 17 points. I'll say the final is 98-81. Al Horford won't show up, Murray will have less than one point per shot, and Ilgauskus will have a surprisingly efficient game.

I think I have been underrating Denver because Carmelo has been so deferential for the last couple of months. I took it as him not caring, but when he aggressively seeks his own shot like he did in game 1, that team has a very dynamic offensive attack. I think Kidd will bounce back- he has been great in the last couple of months and round 1, but was terrible in the last game. I thought Dallas would win this series going in because they looked so comfortable on offense, but they were definitely disrupted. I will say that Dallas keeps it closer, but Denver pulls out a close one while getting some calls in the last 5 minutes, and Carmelo scoring 30. Denver wins 107-102.


After predictions this thorough, the rest of us cannot top them. I pretty much agree both your margins and results. WRT Denver/Dallas, Dirk no longer has enough help around him, and while Andersen/Smith/Carter will not play like all-stars every game, it is a very solid bench. Denver in 5 or 6. (I had them in 7 before Game 1, so that is my 'real' prediction) Cleveland in 5.
   293. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:17 PM (#3165628)
Words cannot describe how happy I am that it is finally time for the Birdman to fly.

I figure the more specific things I predict, the more likely I am to get one of them right.
   294. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:19 PM (#3165633)
Words cannot describe how happy I am that it is finally time for the Birdman to fly.


In Game 1 he was sort of a combination of Kurt Rambis and Dennis Rodman--with a midrange jumper to boot. If Denver is in the Finals, he will become a lot more famous than he is now.
   295. Backlasher Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:23 PM (#3165640)
If Denver is in the Finals, he will become a lot more famous than he is now.


Who was better tattoos:

(1) Blinn College's most famous alumni's colorful concoction
(2) Sheed's egyptian motif
(3) Haslem's backtoo of the state of Florida
   296. Moses Taylor lost his pants to a pair of nines Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:25 PM (#3165643)
Boston looked dead tired to me, which was obviously a risk going into the series, but that hardly excuses their intense sloppiness. How about some more minutes for Starbury? He's the freshest guy in the series, and he had a hot hand.

What is it with the Marbury love? Not you, but the announcers. Reggie was riding Doc for not putting Steph back in. Actually, him hitting those 2 lucky runners on back to back possessions might have been the worst thing for the Celtics. That means Steph is gonna start trying to be Steph. It's one thing for him to get his shots in the flow of the offense (and he had a couple of open shots he hit) and not pass on the wide open shots. But if he's going to try and dominate the ball (which he did for the brief stretch, luckily yesterday he made those shots), that's bad, even if he's just out there with the other scrubs. I guess Celtics fans have to trust that Doc isn't going to give him the minutes to let that happen.

---

Tonight should be a big win for the Cleve, but they might be a little rusty early. I think Dallas is going to squeak out a close win tonight in Denver.
   297. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:26 PM (#3165644)
Haslem in a landslide. That thing is hilarious.
   298. andrewberg Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:27 PM (#3165646)
Birdman's template gives him more options in the color department. I don't know if he deserves credit for that. Lebron's tattoos are phenomenal. He's like a walking Sistine Chapel. I guess that's what happens when you get $50m from Nike when you're 18. Still, my vote goes to the guy who got all of Kobe's tattoos in the same shape, size, color, and location as the original, including tattooing Kobe's children's names on his arms.
   299. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:29 PM (#3165651)
Tonight should be a big win for the Cleve, but they might be a little rusty early.
I don't think that'll happen. I think the Cavs watched L.A. cough it up in last night's Rockets-Lakers game and told themselves, "That's not gonna be us tonight," especially on the defensive end of the ball.
   300. robinred Posted: May 05, 2009 at 09:32 PM (#3165659)
I go with (1) on the tats, since you can't see Haslem's on TV during games.
Page 3 of 213 pages  < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >  Last ›

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

 

<< Back to main

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)
for his generous support.

Bookmarks

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Hot Topics

NewsblogT.R. Sullivan: Of Frank Robinson, Milt Pappas and Jim Palmer
(9 - 5:29am, May 26)
Last: bjhanke

NewsblogHP: Baseball is leaving the human factor behind
(59 - 5:24am, May 26)
Last: bjhanke

NewsblogBud Selig -- No need for more MLB replay for now - ESPN
(87 - 3:55am, May 26)
Last: Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters

NewsblogOT: NBA Monthly Thread, May 2012
(1834 - 3:06am, May 26)
Last: Spivey

NewsblogHimrich’s Top Ten Target Field Foods
(8 - 2:43am, May 26)
Last: Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott)

NewsblogBoston.com: Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios lays off all staff
(119 - 1:28am, May 26)
Last: Swedish Chef

NewsblogWilmoth: Nate McLouth Designated For Assignment
(12 - 12:25am, May 26)
Last: Tripon

Hall of MeritMost Meritorious Player: 1973 Discussion
(15 - 12:13am, May 26)
Last: DanG

NewsblogThe Hall of Very Good: Former Cards Slugger Critical of "LaRussa's Regime"
(4 - 11:26pm, May 25)
Last: cardsfanboy

NewsblogCSN to host ‘Phillies at the Beach’ on Memorial Day
(18 - 11:25pm, May 25)
Last: Fielder's the first baseman, Felder is the fielder

Hall of MeritMost Meritorious Player: 1972 Ballot
(28 - 11:25pm, May 25)
Last: lieiam

Sox TherapyA Winning Ballclub?
(20 - 11:24pm, May 25)
Last: Dan

NewsblogMatschulat: Did I Miss The "Paul Konerko Is So Overrated OMG" Bandwagon?
(27 - 11:16pm, May 25)
Last: baudib

NewsblogTBO: Nerdy Rays head north
(17 - 10:07pm, May 25)
Last: PreservedFish

NewsblogDodgers want to host NHL's Winter Classic
(22 - 9:38pm, May 25)
Last: Cris E

Buy MLB playoff tickets, plus 2011 World Series, 2011 ALCS tickets and NLCS game tickets. We also have Texas Rangers playoff schedule, tickets to Red Sox games and Yankees game tickets. Plus, buy Phillies baseball tickets, Tigers playoff tickets and the biggies like ALDS baseball tickets and 2011 NLDS tickets.

Demarini, Easton and TPX Baseball Bats

 

 

 

AllianceTickets.com has cheap MLB Tickets. Get all your Colorado Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, San Francisco Giants Tickets and all your favorite baseball tickets here. We also carry cheap Denver Broncos Tickets, Seattle Seahawks Tickets and Denver Nuggets Tickets.

Page rendered in 0.6889 seconds
56 querie(s) executed