The Official 2004 NBA Playoffs thread (Win or go home!)

[SonnyPunk]

The NBA playoffs are almost upon us...its been a tight race for some of the last spots...but it doesnt matter because we all know one of the Western teams is gonna dominate.
I am a Nets fan and I am scared shitless for the postseason now. Back in january-february I was so confident that we would win The Eastern Conference championship for the 3rd straight year...but now things dont look so good. Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin both injure their fucking knees...why did this have to happen now?! The only positive thing about this is that The Nets bench has developed tremendously in the absence of the teams 2 all-stars. Richard Jefferson has grown up in front of my eyes and become an awesome player in many aspects. There's no reason why he wont be on the Allstar team next season. If Kidd and Martin can somehow get 100% healthy soon, and the bench continues to play the way they have these past few weeks then we got a good shot. There's just one BIG problem standing in our way...Detroit.
Detroit gets Rasheed Wallace and now they are pound for pound the best team in the East...their defense is amazing...and it looks like The Nets will have to face them in the second round...thats gonna be a heated series considering these 2 teams hate each other...but as of today it looks like Detroit is the team to beat in The East...forget Indiana...they are beatable.
If I had to make a prediction today...The NBA Finals will be The Lakers against The Pistons. L.A. will win 4-2.

[SonnyPunk]

This just in...Im going to game 2 of round 1 in New Jersey. Im excited...I hope The Nets play New York...that'd be sick. Especially since alot of Knicks fans will cross the bridge to come watch the game at our house. That means a rowdy crowd and alot of shit talking. Ive been to a Nets vs. Knicks playoff game many years ago and it was fun. We got eliminated and the New Yorkers were so arrogant...Id like to be the arrogant one this time.

[TENSOR123]

i'm not really a fan of the nets, but i'll give them credit for the game last night. even without kenyon and kidd they were giving the pacers a hard time, especially holding o'neil to such little points. but i'm hoping the knicks go all the way. knicks vs. nets would be some sick rivalry, marbury and kidd. but if anything i just really hope that the lakers get their asses kicked badly.

[SonnyPunk]

Oh Im glad you said that...I HATE the Lakers so much. Especially that big ape Shaquille. His ego is bigger than that massive frame he was lucky to be born with. And Karl Malone is a cock too...he ditches the team he spent his entire career with just to hop on board The Lakers band wagon to win a championship. What good is a championship if you dont really deserve it? He missed so many games this season too...I pray they dont win and he has to retire and regrets his decision the rest of his life.
And yea The Nets have really improved without Kidd and Martin...they hung around with the Pacers and even took the lead at one point. I hope they get healthy and make a good run this season.

[TENSOR123]

oh dude i know, shaq pisses me off the most. i used to respect malone, but when he went to LA i realized what a shithead he is. i'm not even gonna get started on kobe. the only one on the team that i can tolerate a little bit is payton, but i lost some respect for him too for going to the lakers. good games are on tomorrow tho, so i'm just waiting to see how it all goes down.

[SonnyPunk]

Yea dude Payton is just as bad as Malone. He actually had the nerve to whine because he wasnt happy with his role on the team. Well asshole this isnt your team...you hopped on board to win their championship so you better shut the fuck up and do what they tell you.
I think I prefer Kobe the most because he actually expressed desire to leave the team...and Im not sure if he and Shaq get along too well...and if he hates Shaq he must be cool lol. I think if he plays somewhere else next season Ill start to enjoy him a little more.

[TENSOR123]

hahaha good point about kobe. i didn't know payton was bitching, that's pretty retarted. oh and another one i hate is fox, he's a dirtbag. if they do end up against detroit, i think ben wallace and rasheed wallace could handle them. malone can't do shit anymore, he should just retire already. so that just leaves shaq who can control the boards for them, but i dunno, it's good this year.

[SonnyPunk]

The most likely scenario would be as follows: The Nets and Pistons both win round 1 without too much trouble. Then both teams would meet in round 2. Now if this matchup occured today Detroit is way too powerful and New Jersey is way too weak to handle them. So I would be crying for a few days but then Id have to suck up my pride and root for The Pistons to go all the way because they are the only team in The East that really stands a chance of beating the West this year. And even so, its a slim chance. Id be happy to see any team win over The Lakers though.
But in my perfect world...Kidd and Martin will resume playing regularly soon and start to get the rust off...by the time round 1 is over they should be feeling back to normal. Then when they meet Detroit, if they have Kidd and Martin playing like their normal selves...and Richard Jefferson playing the game he's been playing the past few weeks...and guys like Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers coming off the bench and stepping up like they have been since the injuries...I am confident we can beat The Pistons. But it'll be a hell of a series. Both teams hate each other because of last seasons playoff sweep and the last time they met this season NJ lost the game but managed to fuck up the defensive record Detroit had going on purpose just because they could. The Nets got alot of shit for that one...people said it was unsportsmanlike but I disagree...even if I was losing the game with no chance of winning, but still had a shot to be the team that ended their record I would go for it. Thats why they call it competition...you dont get no freebies in sports. Either way its gonna be a good postseason I think. I dont see The Pacers living up to the hype either...A healthy New Jersey or the new Pistons can both beat Indiana.

[TENSOR123]

oh yea, and after seeing the Denver vs. Portland game last night that went into OT. i've gotta add that carmelo should definately get rookie of the year. sick game.

[SonnyPunk]

Yeah man I agree. I hate Lebron already...he's got an ego he thinks he's hot shit. Why the hell does he have to wear #23? He wants to be the next Jordan...nobody should be allowed to wear #23 out of respect.
Did you watch the games today on Easter sunday? Both games were sick as hell. New Jersey fucked Philly up! The best part was that Kidd and Martin were playing alot better. Martin had #15 points and alot of blocks. Someone on Philadelphia went up for a shot and KMart stuffed the shit out of the ball and sent it sailing out of bounds on the other side of the court...it was crazy.
Then I was so happy to see Sacramento rape The Lakers...it felt so good watching L.A. get dominated...especially Shaq...he picked up 2 fouls in the first quarter and had to sit out...then a 3rd in the second...so of course he had to bitch and moan about the refs and it cost them a technical. Thats how you gotta beat L.A. Dont be afraid of Shaq and go up strong against him...more often than not you'll get the call. Oneal can get into foul trouble real easy. That game actually gave me some hope that The Lakers can be beaten...even dominated. Id love to see The Kings go to the Finals against New Jersey...thats my ideal outcome for the playoffs but its unlikely.

So after today its official...The Pacers are playing Boston in the opening round. The Nets will most likely play the Knicks (Ill be at game 2)...and The Pistons might possibly play The Hornets, which sucks because I want Detroit to play Miami. I think The Heat will at least steal a game or 2 and bang up The Pistons so they'll be a little fatigued for round 2. The Hornets will probably get swept.

[open mind]

first off the nets won't go far,secondly although i hate the lakers, players trying to finish their carrers with their first championship isn't really something i look down upon,lastly the kings are who i'm pulling for and i think they at least have a shot at taking down the lakers.

[SonnyPunk]

The Nets only chance is if they get healthy...but thats a BIG if.

[open mind]

the kings fuckin stomped the lakers the other day.

[logalog]

the kings fuckin stomped the lakers the other day.
I still wake up with a cold sweat sometimes after having nightmares of Robert Horry Hitting that three to win the game in the playoffs a couple years back.
I doubt however that they actually have the longevity, with webber still not in the swing of things, to finish it all. Minesota is rockin, but I think if the kings can't get it, it would be awesome for the Grizzlies to win it all

[TENSOR123]

fuckin lakers won in double OT. i hate em but i gotta give kobe credit for that last shot. so do the knicks play the nets now?

[SonnyPunk]

fuckin lakers won in double OT. i hate em but i gotta give kobe credit for that last shot. so do the knicks play the nets now?

Yeah since The Hornets beat Washington last night that makes it official that The Knicks will play The Nets...I cant wait Ill be at game 2. Are The Lakers playing Minnesota in round 1?

[The Bled 13]

I'm not a big fan of the NBA.

[SonnyPunk]

The regular season is over...the playoffs start this weekend and I cant fucking wait...this is gonna be an exciting and unpredictable post-season. Here are the brackets...make your predictions...

EAST-

Boston Celtics Vs. Indiana Pacers

New York Knicks Vs. New Jersey Nets

Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Detroit Pistons

Miami Heat Vs. New Orleans Hornets

WEST-

Denver Nuggets Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Houston Rockets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. San Antonio Spurs

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Sacramento Kings


(My Predictions)

Indiana beats Boston in 5

New Jersey beats New York in 5

Detroit Sweeps Milwaukee

Miami beats New Orleans in 7

Minnesota sweeps Denver

Lakers beat Houston in 6 (Im looking forward to this series! Go Rockets!)

San Antonio beats Memphis in 5

Sacramento beats Dallas in 6

[TENSOR123]

those predictions are pretty reasonable. this year is so fuckin sick man, i can't wait to see what happens. the knicks and nets will be the best series by far, for me atleast.

[SonnyPunk]

Yeah The Nets/Knicks series is the one im most anticipating...I live in northern New Jersey so its probably alot more exciting to someone like me who lives in this area. Both hometown teams battling in the playoffs...you cant beat that. Where do you live man?
They had a poll on NBA.com...they asked what people thought the most exciting series in the East will be...The Nets/Knicks won 51% of the vote...so apparantly most people agree. I think everyone knows the Nets will win...even without Kidd and Martin they can win this series. But at the end of this one alot of the questions about how far The Nets will go this year will be answered. Our fate lies within two mens knees...if they dont heal quickly...we'll never make it past round 2. But if The Kidd and Martin of old return in full strength...who knows what will happen.

[TENSOR123]

i'm on Long Island, New York. i haven't had any chance to get tix lately, thats awesome that you got some for that series. but yea, the Knicks gotta try to get control of the rebounds and not get sloppy with their shooting. it depends alot with whose on with their shots too, Houston could really be dangerous, but some games he's just way off so i'm not sure. even though im hoping the Knicks win it, i would like to see Kidd and Martin healthy, so it's a fair series and what not.

[SonnyPunk]

Houston is not playing most likely. They said there's like an 80% chance he wont play...even if he somehow did he wouldnt be healthy enough to be effective

[BuriedAlive]

any news on malones ankle?? i hope hes out..not to be mean or anything...but i dont want them to win.,...
malone promised to play game 1.

[BuriedAlive]

My Predictions:

Indiana beats Boston in 5

New York beats New Jersey in 6

Detroit beats Milwaukee in 6

Miami beats New Orleans in 6

Minnesota beats Denver in 5

Houston beats Los Angeles in 7

San Antonio beats Memphis in 6

Dallas beats Sacramento in 7


I think this year has been the one of the best years for basketball in some time. Pretty even all around. I liked the tight races at the end.

[TENSOR123]

fuck i totally forgot about Houston being injured. who will be playing his spot to start now then, Penny? it's gonna be a tough series either way.

[Patrick]

EAST-

Boston Celtics Vs. Indiana Pacers in 5

New York Knicks Vs. New Jersey Nets in 7, Knicks have the crowd and Stephon

Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Detroit Pistons, in 6, this will be a good series the bucks are an exciteing running team.

Miami Heat Vs. New Orleans Hornets in 6 , Heat own Odem is awesome. Alston feel good story of the year.

WEST-

Denver Nuggets Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in 5, first series win ever

Houston Rockets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers in 5, Shaq owns Yao

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. San Antonio Spurs in 5, no way you can stop Duncan

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Sacramento Kings in 7, best series by far.

[BuriedAlive]

fuck i totally forgot about Houston being injured. who will be playing his spot to start now then, Penny? it's gonna be a tough series either way.
who cares? Houston sucks he can only shoot. Penny is a better defender, but I don't think he is starting either. Shandon Anderson is their starter.

[SonnyPunk]

Well I just got done watching game 3 of the quadrouple header today...Every game has been a blowout so far. The Pacers owned The Celtics...its clear now that Boston has no chance of winning a single game. My Nets disected the Knicks by 24 points. Kidd looked great out there...Martin is still a little rusty but he still had 16 points and a lot of rebounds. The first half of that game was simply awesome...so much energy and excitement. The Knicks just stopped competing in the second half and waived goodbye to whatever chance they had at winning.
And The Spurs just dominated The Grizzlies. Memphis looked simply pathetic out there...they were falling all over the place and losing the ball too often. It looks like a high school team trying to compete with The NBA champions.
Now Im gonna go watch The Lakers and The Rockets...im excited for this one. I like Houston...I think Yao is a great player and I hope he makes Shaq his bitch. I hate Shaq...someone needs to challenge this asshole and Yao is the one to do it. He love you long time!

[Alex Djaferis]

AH i should come here more often. im a HUGE basketball fan. and i follow the NBA militaristically!!!

This year its gonna be a closer call then ever imo. Id love to see the grizzlies make it past SA but thats wishful thinking as SA have way more playoff experience. I wouldnt mind seeing the wolves break through their playoff shell and go all the way...and KG better get the MVP award this year.

In the east im all for miami...i just love the way they have improved over the year. Odom jones wayde butler grant prove to be a killer starting 5...and with guys like alston and haslem on the bench...they might make some noise. Of course it will probably end up being a battle between NJ and Indiana...but id love to see some upsets...(not a big pacers fan)...

rockets did well last nite...must have beena shitty game to watch tho. low scores...but man it seems like houston may actualy have a chance. I dont like the lakers at all so id love to see them not reach the finals again lol. id rather see dallas or minnesota there anyday. but last nites scores did kind of all go "to plan"...which is a little unsettling. MORE UPSETs please!

[BuriedAlive]

AH i should come here more often. im a HUGE basketball fan. and i follow the NBA militaristically!!!

This year its gonna be a closer call then ever imo. Id love to see the grizzlies make it past SA but thats wishful thinking as SA have way more playoff experience. I wouldnt mind seeing the wolves break through their playoff shell and go all the way...and KG better get the MVP award this year.

In the east im all for miami...i just love the way they have improved over the year. Odom jones wayde butler grant prove to be a killer starting 5...and with guys like alston and haslem on the bench...they might make some noise. Of course it will probably end up being a battle between NJ and Indiana...but id love to see some upsets...(not a big pacers fan)...

rockets did well last nite...must have beena shitty game to watch tho. low scores...but man it seems like houston may actualy have a chance. I dont like the lakers at all so id love to see them not reach the finals again lol. id rather see dallas or minnesota there anyday. but last nites scores did kind of all go "to plan"...which is a little unsettling. MORE UPSETs please!

HOLY SHIT! I'm a huge Miami fan. They have had a kickass draft the last few years and picked up Odom which was also smart. I'm sure they will pass the hornets in the first round. I love upsets too. I see Miami making it to the Eastern Conference Championship. Well, I hope they do. I just don't see them making it past the pistons or the pacers.

[SonnyPunk]

Miami is the favorite over The Hornets...They should win but it'll probably be a competitive series. The winner of that series will go on to lose to Indiana. The second round of the playoffs is gonna be so sick...such great matchups. New Jersey Vs. Detroit is gonna be a huge battle...god Im gonna seriously bite my fingernails off during that one.
I was so pissed last night when The Rockets lost...they were so close...it was a pretty shitty game overall. Houston had like 22 turnovers...so they were really lucky The Lakers didnt have a good offensive outing. Yao fouled out in the end but it didnt do anything because Shaq still managed to place the ball in the basket with his gargantuan hands. If Yao was gonna foul him he should made sure that ball didnt go in...but its easier said than done...especially when you're guarding someone whose the size of a Ford F-150. This was a sloppy game but The Lakers somehow managed to get lucky and hang on to get the win. The Rockets would have had a real good chance to win this series if they got game 1...game 1 is the most important game...especially when your the visiting team...oh well maybe next season.
I was listening to the first half of the Dallas/Sacramento game on the radio at work today...this should be a good series.

[SonnyPunk]

Just got back from The Nets game...Fuck The Knicks! We own you!

[Patrick]

How bout them BUCKS!!!!! yeah bitchs we FORREAL...back in Milwaukee we have home court for rest of series.

[SonnyPunk]

Id love to see The Bucks upset The Pistons. Or at least stretch the series out to 7 games. That way my Nets will be nice and rested when Detroit is all banged up. Go Bucks!

[Patrick]

Id love to see The Bucks upset The Pistons. Or at least stretch the series out to 7 games. That way my Nets will be nice and rested when Detroit is all banged up. Go Bucks!
Sadly the bucks have lost :angryfire i think they will fight hard though

[TheGreatGatsby]

Even though Rockets won last night I think that the Lakers get a lot more calls from the refs

[SonnyPunk]

God damn you Bucks! Why'd you have to fall apart like that? They need to win game 4... no excuses!
I was happy to see The Hornets come back from a horrible loss and beat The Heat. Baron Davis rocks.
It looks like The Nuggets should beat The Timberwolves right now. Unless they somehow manage to blow a 20 point lead. I saw Garnett had some words for Anthony and someone else on Denvers bench...i guess he's just a little bitch who cant deal with a loss. So you pick on a 19 year old kid. Now there's an MVP.

[BuriedAlive]

God damn you Bucks! Why'd you have to fall apart like that? They need to win game 4... no excuses!
I was happy to see The Hornets come back from a horrible loss and beat The Heat. Baron Davis rocks.
It looks like The Nuggets should beat The Timberwolves right now. Unless they somehow manage to blow a 20 point lead. I saw Garnett had some words for Anthony and someone else on Denvers bench...i guess he's just a little bitch who cant deal with a loss. So you pick on a 19 year old kid. Now there's an MVP.
Why would you criticize him? He deserves to be the MVP his stats say it all. I would be a little heated if I lost too, no matter what the series lead was. Losing is a horrible thing. I hate it. I guess it's just the passion that burns pretty deep, and that's what makes a real good player. Someone who doesn't handle a loss and comes out the next game and proves they didn't deserve to lose. It's that simple.

[TENSOR123]

what the fuck happend with rasheed that game dude? that was so fuckin weird lol. knicks are lookin pretty shitty as of now, so i'm rootin for the pistons. and that was funny when artest was about to run on the court but after like 3 steps he came back, he got best defensive player of the year, i think he deserved it probably.

[BuriedAlive]

what the fuck happend with rasheed that game dude? that was so fuckin weird lol. knicks are lookin pretty shitty as of now, so i'm rootin for the pistons. and that was funny when artest was about to run on the court but after like 3 steps he came back, he got best defensive player of the year, i think he deserved it probably.
heh, he still got suspended one game for it too. yes, he did deserve the defensive player of the year. he is at the top in steals and he normally shuts down his opposition. he is a really good player. i love how people hate him for being outspoken. i think thats the best kind of player.

[SonnyPunk]

Garnett definately deserves MVP...but I dont think he should have words with a 19 year old kid over nothing. Carmello wasnt even in the game at that point...he was sitting on the bench. He seemed to be having a good laugh (which was well deserved.) and Garnett was pissed off so he got in his face. Theres no need for that kinda shit. His team isnt going to The Finals this year...mark my words. They cant beat The Lakers or The Spurs. But The T-Wolves/Kings should be a good series. Id like to see The Kings win it but Im not sure they can.

[BuriedAlive]

Garnett definately deserves MVP...but I dont think he should have words with a 19 year old kid over nothing. Carmello wasnt even in the game at that point...he was sitting on the bench. He seemed to be having a good laugh (which was well deserved.) and Garnett was pissed off so he got in his face. Theres no need for that kinda shit. His team isnt going to The Finals this year...mark my words. They cant beat The Lakers or The Spurs. But The T-Wolves/Kings should be a good series. Id like to see The Kings win it but Im not sure they can.
the kings wont make it. the mavs are going beat em in 7.

[Patrick]

No way, the kings will own at home you saw it as well as i did, THE KINGS OWN AT HOME no way the mavs win, the only team that has proven they are capible of winning on the road is the Bucks.

[BuriedAlive]

No way, the kings will own at home you saw it as well as i did, THE KINGS OWN AT HOME no way the mavs win, the only team that has proven they are capible of winning on the road is the Bucks.
not really. thats why the kings lost by 25 which is almost double the margin in their two wins at home. thhe mavs are definately better at home.

[SonnyPunk]

The Mavs should make the series interesting...but The Kings will ultimately win this thing. But right now I like San Antonio to win the Western conference. The TWolves got blown out by the 8th seed lol...that was pathetic. You got that lil' 5'5 point guard making tear drop jumpers in your face then you know you dont have a prayer in the long run haha.
The Nets just swept The Knicks in what I thought was pound for pound the best game of the entire post season so far. There were like 15 ties and 15 lead changes I believe. But we swept those bastards. Bring on Detroit.

[Patrick]

not really. thats why the kings lost by 25 which is almost double the margin in their two wins at home. thhe mavs are definately better at home.
Series = OVER like i say kings own.

[SonnyPunk]

Round 2 is gonna be amazing...even better than round 3 I bet. Detroit vs. New Jersey is gonna be an epic battle. And L.A. Vs. San Antonio is going to be awesome as well. Shaq Vs. The Groundhog...cant wait.

[Alex Djaferis]

Detroits gonna shut NJ down. Their Size in the frountcourt wil just be too much for only K-Mart to handle....Rasheed, Big Ben...dont forget the Billups is one of the most underrated PG's, he'll give Kidd a run for his money.

[BuriedAlive]

Series = OVER like i say kings own.
i guess webber does make alot of difference for them. hopefully cuban will ship out all the shitty players he brought in for some defensive minded players (i only went for the mavs because of my brother, haha). howard and daniels are the best young guard tandem out there. i love those two.

[Patrick]

i guess webber does make alot of difference for them. hopefully cuban will ship out all the shitty players he brought in for some defensive minded players (i only went for the mavs because of my brother, haha). howard and daniels are the best young guard tandem out there. i love those two.
Yeah Cuban is gonna clean house. Nash, is gone, i expect a better talented Mavs next year. How bout the Cha/Mia series I think Miami is gonna win just because of homecourt. Charelotte has experiance but home court has proven to be a factor throughout the playoffs(besides the bucks :headshake)

[SonnyPunk]

You mean "New Orleans"? The Hornets arent from Charlotte anymore. There is going to be a new expansion team next year from Charlotte called The Bobcats.
If Kenyon Martin plays the way he did during game 4 The Pistons are gonna have trouble. and if Kidd can keep the game at a real fast pace The Nets can win. God I hope they do.

[BuriedAlive]

Yeah Cuban is gonna clean house. Nash, is gone, i expect a better talented Mavs next year. How bout the Cha/Mia series I think Miami is gonna win just because of homecourt. Charelotte has experiance but home court has proven to be a factor throughout the playoffs(besides the bucks :headshake)
Lets hope so. They need a more well-rounded team. they need to get rid of nash and finley and let howard and daniels mature at the 1 and 2 guard spot.

[BuriedAlive]

You mean "New Orleans"? The Hornets arent from Charlotte anymore. There is going to be a new expansion team next year from Charlotte called The Bobcats.
If Kenyon Martin plays the way he did during game 4 The Pistons are gonna have trouble. and if Kidd can keep the game at a real fast pace The Nets can win. God I hope they do.
I feel bad for Charlotte. They lose a crappy team then they start winning (not exactly but it was some time before they made it into the playoffs, and attracting new people) and i dont see how adding an expansion team would help them any. how is an expansion team going to bring more fans in? they should more toronto to charlotte and add a team in Tampa Bay! haha. that would be sweet.

[Patrick]

I feel bad for Charlotte. They lose a crappy team then they start winning (not exactly but it was some time before they made it into the playoffs, and attracting new people) and i dont see how adding an expansion team would help them any. how is an expansion team going to bring more fans in? they should more toronto to charlotte and add a team in Tampa Bay! haha. that would be sweet.
Yeah i think Cuban will surprise us (like always) and bring in a big name or two. Also i do have trouble remembering that the hornets are NO not CHA i dont really think of them as the New Orleans Hornets, Charelotte sounds better so i went with that, since i wasnt thinking. I also had high hopes for the Bucks and Rockets Yao is special but he shouldnt be on a shooting guard team that has a big center, somthing will happen there as well.

[BuriedAlive]

Yeah i think Cuban will surprise us (like always) and bring in a big name or two. Also i do have trouble remembering that the hornets are NO not CHA i dont really think of them as the New Orleans Hornets, Charelotte sounds better so i went with that, since i wasnt thinking. I also had high hopes for the Bucks and Rockets Yao is special but he shouldnt be on a shooting guard team that has a big center, somthing will happen there as well.
New Orleans Bobcats sounds better than Charlotte Bobcats. I don't think there are Bobcats in NO though. haha.

[Alex Djaferis]

wow...the kings shut the mavs down alot quicker the i thought. i thought the mavs would pull through.

I would like to blame it on Finley being injured but their rookie marquis daniels was playing real well...same numbers..

[SonnyPunk]

How bout them Spurs? Fuck the lakers...I hope they get swept. Anyone read the article on Kobe in the new ESPN magazine? If that article is accurate then Kobe is the biggest prick alive and deserves jailtime. He thinks he's royalty and can do whatever the hell he wants...he probably did rape that girl.

[TENSOR123]

i loved that spurs game. duncan didn't do much all game til the 4th quarter and it was awesome. nets and pistons tomorrow should be good. and kings and twolves is good too. this year fuckin rules. what was the article about kobe saying?

[SonnyPunk]

i loved that spurs game. duncan didn't do much all game til the 4th quarter and it was awesome. nets and pistons tomorrow should be good. and kings and twolves is good too. this year fuckin rules. what was the article about kobe saying?

It was all about how Kobe acts off the court. Theres so much drama in the Lakers locker room because of him. Most of the team doesnt like him. He has a whole posse of bodyguards working for him and he treats them like slaves. He makes them wait on him...they have to get his mcdonalds...wipe his ass after he shits...etc. Alot of the players find it very degrading.
When they criticized him for shooting too much he purposely didnt shoot the ball till the 4th quarter when they lost to The Kings. He has a huge ego. So an anonymous Laker said to the press "I dont know how we can forgive something like that." After Kobe heard about that he went nuts and cursed the whole team out asking who said it...no one had the balls to step up.
Another point mentioned was how Kobe went on some adidas sponsored tour to Japan. He brought along his barber and his barbers mother so that Kobe could get a haircut whenever he wanted one. Well not long after landing the barber took his mom out for some quick sightseeing. Well Kobe decided he wanted a haircut right away and the barber wasnt there. So Kobe ordered his bodyguards to pack the barbers bags and send him back on the next 13 hour flight to america. He fired the poor guy in front of his mother over something so stupid.
So basically the guy thinks he can do whatever he wants and no one can touch him because he's Kobe Bryant. Well that philosophy may have worked in The NBA...but it didnt work in Colorado...did it bitch? Lets hope the legal system works.

[open mind]

kobe's a dick.
kings are gonna stomp the t'wolves.

[Alex Djaferis]

i think if the wolves hold it together they might give the kings some trouble.

[Patrick]

It was all about how Kobe acts off the court. Theres so much drama in the Lakers locker room because of him. Most of the team doesnt like him. He has a whole posse of bodyguards working for him and he treats them like slaves. He makes them wait on him...they have to get his mcdonalds...wipe his ass after he shits...etc. Alot of the players find it very degrading.
When they criticized him for shooting too much he purposely didnt shoot the ball till the 4th quarter when they lost to The Kings. He has a huge ego. So an anonymous Laker said to the press "I dont know how we can forgive something like that." After Kobe heard about that he went nuts and cursed the whole team out asking who said it...no one had the balls to step up.
Another point mentioned was how Kobe went on some adidas sponsored tour to Japan. He brought along his barber and his barbers mother so that Kobe could get a haircut whenever he wanted one. Well not long after landing the barber took his mom out for some quick sightseeing. Well Kobe decided he wanted a haircut right away and the barber wasnt there. So Kobe ordered his bodyguards to pack the barbers bags and send him back on the next 13 hour flight to america. He fired the poor guy in front of his mother over something so stupid.
So basically the guy thinks he can do whatever he wants and no one can touch him because he's Kobe Bryant. Well that philosophy may have worked in The NBA...but it didnt work in Colorado...did it bitch? Lets hope the legal system works.
I agree but theres always two sides to the story. Also lets do it

Western

T-Wolves
vs.
Kings

Spurs
vs.
Lakers

Eastern

Pacers
vs.
Heat/Hornets

Pistons
vs.
Nets

[BuriedAlive]

i cant believe the heat are falling apart! they better win their next game or im going to be so pissed. i hope they dont get swept by the pacers either. that would suck. i hope they take atleast one game to hold some dignity.

[The Bled 13]

I'm not that big on the NBA, I like lax and hockey.

[SonnyPunk]

Id love to see The Hornets take the series. But it doesnt matter...whichever team wins that series is going to be sacrificed to The Pacers...probably a sweep.

[TENSOR123]

yea, whoever wins game 7 tonight will be swept by the pacers. and after seeing last nights game, i think pistons will beat the nets in 5 and then play the pacers. not too sure about the west though.

[Patrick]

yea, whoever wins game 7 tonight will be swept by the pacers. and after seeing last nights game, i think pistons will beat the nets in 5 and then play the pacers. not too sure about the west though.
NO WAY!, no way will the hornets/heat be swept by the pacers, i don't know if you have noticed unlike the celtics the the hornets/ heat have.

1. Talent
2. Dwayne Wade (haha heat dont)
3. Freking awesome at home.

yes i know not very good reasons, BUT enough to say they wont be swept.

[SonnyPunk]

Dont count my Nets out yet. They had like 8 days off so they were obviously very rusty. Jefferson was 1 for 11...KMart and Kidd had bad games as well. Lets see what happens in game 2 friday.
Now how bout them Kings? They just took home court advantage away from the Wolves...this series could go to 7 but The Kings should win it. The Timberwolves are the #1 seed in the West but they sure dont look like it...they can bitch all they want but they are overrated.

[Alex Djaferis]

WOOOO heat won!!!!

[SonnyPunk]

Haha fuck The Lakers! 2 games down...2 more to go! Boy would I LOOOOVE to see those assholes get swept. I dont think it'll happen though. My guess is 4-2 Spurs.
Whose on tonight? Pacers Vs. Heat? Thats gonna be an execution. The Indiana series is the only bad one in round 2. All the others are gonna be excellent.

[Patrick]

Haha fuck The Lakers! 2 games down...2 more to go! Boy would I LOOOOVE to see those assholes get swept. I dont think it'll happen though. My guess is 4-2 Spurs.
Whose on tonight? Pacers Vs. Heat? Thats gonna be an execution. The Indiana series is the only bad one in round 2. All the others are gonna be excellent.
dont count the heat out... they have proved alot

[TENSOR123]

i love to see the lakers get their asses kicked. even on the court, you can tell they're assholes that don't even get along with eachother. and i used to not really like robert horry when he was on the lakers, but to see him hit them 3's right in the lakers face fuckin rules. the heat aren't a bad team but i don't think they have what it takes to keep up with indiana. pistons won last night so now the series goes to NJ, i'm excited for this series, i think nets will actually be alot better on homecourt so it should be cool to watch, unless my pistons get their asses handed to them.

[open mind]

i wanna see a pistons vs. kings finals that way at least one team i like will take it all.

[BuriedAlive]

dont count the heat out... they have proved alot
i think the heat are going to push a game seven if they stay this good at home. 17 straight at home.

[BuriedAlive]

i love to see the lakers get their asses kicked. even on the court, you can tell they're assholes that don't even get along with eachother. and i used to not really like robert horry when he was on the lakers, but to see him hit them 3's right in the lakers face fuckin rules. the heat aren't a bad team but i don't think they have what it takes to keep up with indiana. pistons won last night so now the series goes to NJ, i'm excited for this series, i think nets will actually be alot better on homecourt so it should be cool to watch, unless my pistons get their asses handed to them.

your pistons got their asses handed to them.

[TENSOR123]

yea they did. the nets are always kicking ass on homecourt though, and rasheed wasn't playing too great. we'll see what happens tonight.

[Patrick]

heck yes, go heat, seriously Dewayne Wade 2003-2004 rookie of the year...yes he owns all.

[BuriedAlive]

heck yes, go heat, seriously Dewayne Wade 2003-2004 rookie of the year...yes he owns all.
Yeah, Wade more than deserves it. He has carried his team single-handedly farther than 'bron or 'melo did.

[Patrick]

WTCRAP is anyone watching right now...AMAZING, i want the lakers to win but OMG THEY JUST SUNK THE SHOT WTF DUNCUN OWNS ALLL... woo that was awesome.

[Patrick]

Holy Fuck Fisher Owns Holy Cow Fisher Fucking Owns

[Patrick]

im glad i could share this experiance with you all.

[SonnyPunk]

God damn the Lakers...what a finish though. Round 2 of this years playoffs have been the most amazing thing ever. I cant remember them ever being any better than this. The underdogs are showing heart and determination making anything possible. I thought the Heat would be swept...Lamar Odom even said "I just wanna get at least one win...thats all." but his team tied the #1 seed up!
Everyone counted my Nets out but we bounced back and dominated...who knows whats gonna happen.
TWolves and Kings have had an awesome series too...game 3 was incredible I just wished The Kings coulda finished that miracle comeback. Once Bibby fouled out I knew it was over though. Cant wait to see what happens next...I LOVE THIS GAME!

[Alex Djaferis]

the wolves better win :P

[Alex Djaferis]

Holy Fuck Fisher Owns Holy Cow Fisher Fucking Owns


haha yeah, hes one the most underrated guards in the league imo.

[SonnyPunk]

N-E-T-S NETS! NETS! NETS! Holy fucking shit! That was the most amazing game I have ever seen im my entire life! I may be a little biased because Im a huge Nets fan, but oh my god..my heart dropped so many times. I thought we had the game won but Chauncey Billups hit that amazing half court shot at the buzzer to force an overtime.
Martin fouls out...our hottest player of the night...our strength and toughness...my hope was dwindling...but we fought hard!
Hamilton fouls out for DEtroit...im optimistic...but we lose ATrain...leaving us with no size or inside defense. It seems impossible to win. But we hang on. Then they lose both Wallaces! I cant count how many times the momentum changed in this classic game. But after 3 overtimes!...a 4 hour game...a clutch performance from Brain "Veal" Scalabrine, J Kidd, RJ...and others...we find ourselves up 3-2 going into game 6 in New Jersey! No one gave the Nets respect...everyone was predicting either a sweep or a 4-1 Pistons victory. But the heart of this team has cracked the toughest defense in the league. Tomorrow morning Im gonna try and get tickets for game 6...I pray I can be there to witness the New Jersey victory!

[Patrick]

That would be so cool if you could go. I want the heat to win so bad, they have fought so hard and it would be awesome to see a heat/nets matchup in the eastern confrence finals.

[SonnyPunk]

I got my tickets!!!! Tomorrow Ill be there for game 6 in Jersey. God I hope The Nets can send the Pistons back home to the murder capital of America.

[Patrick]

I got my tickets!!!! Tomorrow Ill be there for game 6 in Jersey. God I hope The Nets can send the Pistons back home to the murder capital of America.
How much were they?

[open mind]

fuckin lakers......friggetyfraggetityfrook !!!
kings forced a game 7 at least.

[open mind]

so did detroit woohoo!!! :afro:

[Alex Djaferis]

wolves should win it...i mean they go back to Minneapolis now right. And as for NJ and DET, i really dont know who will come out on top.

[open mind]

if the wolves win, we may as well hand the lakers the championship and forget the rest of the post season.

[open mind]

well sssshhhhhhheeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ttttttttt!!! kings got knocked out by the fuckin wolves, the kings were really hurt with bobby jacksons injury but they still gave the wolves a time of it, i guess the lakers have the championship locked now.

[open mind]

it doesn't mean the wolves are better, it means they won one more game against a team that wasn't 100%.....der.

[open mind]

well i guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Korvans]

wolves will beat the lakers in 6...don't believe me? watch and see

[open mind]

i hate the lakers so it wouldn't bother me if the wolves beat them, i just don't see it happening.

[SonnyPunk]

The Wolves have an icebergs chance in hell against The Lakers...the only team that had a chance at beating them was San Antonio but that ship has sailed. The only interesting series left is The Eastern Conference finals...in which I pick Detroit to win because they are one of the best teams in The NBA and may have a slight chance to upset LA with alot of luck. I think they have a better chance than The Wolves. Nobody on Minnesota attacks the basket excpet Sprewell...and he aint gonna cut it.

[ohlookitspaul]

lakers will win, no debate about it.

sorry, laker haters. los angeles-ian here, gotta back my boys.

[SonnyPunk]

Well this should be the last year we have to deal with all the Lakers drama and shit...after this season Malone and Payton are likely to retire especially if they win (Thats the only reason they joined this team.)...and rumor has it that Kobe wants to play elsewhere next season. Plus Phil Jackson may not resign...thank god I hate those fuckers.
Pacers and Pistons played a great game tonight...should be a great series.

[TENSOR123]

yea i wanna see where kobe ends up, i can't picture him in a different jersey. and mcgrady is most likely not gonna stay with the magic, so that will be interesting too.

[Patrick]

.....i am just gonna hate seeing a team thats stacked win an easy championship that they dont deserve.
Im going to assume your refering to the lakers. So how dont they deserve it? Malone, and Payton took pay cuts because they want to win. There both future hall of famers that could be making 13 mil a year, but there making like 2. Thats still alot of money but not as much as future hall of famers should be making. Malone could score the most points ever, is that deserving enough of a championship? Kobe gets accused of rap and plays his ass off to not deserve it? You cant say they dont deserve it because in the end there the best.

[Korvans]

Twolves OWNED the Lakers 2nite - and poor whittle karl got angry and lost his lil ole temper...Phil Jackson should be credited with the lakers success cuz they'd suck balls without him - too bad they won't even get to the championship this year

[Alex Djaferis]

Twolves OWNED the Lakers 2nite - and poor whittle karl got angry and lost his lil ole temper

lol. yeah. I hope the lakers lose because Payton and Malone HAD to make the Cheap ass move to LA just to win a title bfore they retire.

[BuriedAlive]

I can see Bryant in a heat jersey... haha. I really don't see him leaving but I would love to see him play for the heat.

[open mind]

detroit blocked the shit out of indiana, i think even though the scores will be low it's going to be the best playoff series of the year.
lakers are gonna stomp the wolves tonight, the old dudes are all riled up after game 2, and are sure to give the young wolves a whuppin.

[Patrick]

I dont think the lakers were going for the win, they were happy with the split. I'll call it the lakers win the next 3. Its over, i hate the pacers, i want the pistons to win.

[open mind]

lakers bitch slapped the wolves tonight.

[ohlookitspaul]

fuck yeah they did. the wolves may have tried to bitch slap shaq, but they have to learn that that's impossible. kobe fucked them up.

[ohlookitspaul]

well, actually kobe was a little late. but he still got the job done.

[ohlookitspaul]

i admire their athleticism. maybe malone and payton "ran" to the lakers so they could win one last championship. so what? both are fantastic players, you can't deny it. they just want a ring. who really cares? basketball is a sport, you root for your team, you admire their amazing abilities.

[ohlookitspaul]

and i'm not "on the bandwagon" or a "hollywood faker." i find those highly insulting. there's no reason to have to resort to jabs like that. the lakers just happen to be my team, so you can bite me.

[open mind]

i hate the lakers with a passion, but to say malone and payton aren't deserving of a championship title after all they put into the league is a little off, and you could say sprewell and cassel went to the timberwolves and attempted to put together a "stacked team" to, but they still don't have a snowballs chance in hell of winning the series, the kings would have though.

[Patrick]

once again you say the kings would of beat them when the wolves beat the kings...you are obviously blind....the lakers beat them before tehy were gonna beat them again....brad miller would of carressed shaqs face like he did garnett and would of been pounded by the asshole...kings would of been without anyone to guard him..end of story.
I sense to much love for the wolves on your part... they are NOT as good as the lakers. The lakers own them, the wolves are whiped, like mad style. Lakers let them split with ease, now there going to pound the shit out of them (ex.game 3). This series is over. Who is gonna win?

Lakers vs. Pistons (yes the pistons also win)

[ohlookitspaul]

it's a good day for us lakers fans.

sorry, laker haters. blast away...oh wait, i see you've done that already.

[Alex Djaferis]

go detroit!!!

eh, the lakers cant lose on paper. theyre too good. they have too much talent. Minnesota isnt exactly shallow either, but they lack the playoff experience that the LA boys have.

[kevin]

No, they lack Sam Cassel's presence. The Timberwolves might have a chance if he played an entire series.

I think it's pretty obvious that the Lakers are going to clinch the series on Saturday and take the Pistons in five or six. As much as I want the Lakers to win (mainly for Malone's sake), it'd be nice to see the Pistons put up a good fight and take it into seven.

[kevin]

it makes me so angry that the lakers have so many fans on a bandwagon...why cant people want a team to win that deserves it? lakers are stuck up......kobe (someone who waves in and out of games to go to court hearings for cheating on his model wife with a fat retarded hotel clerk)....shaq is stuck way too far up his ass...malone wants to be noticed too bad...also he couldnt win a championship so he went to a team thats stacked to win one with ease...same with payton.....reasons for wolves losing tonight....wolves were in it all game never really gave up...but the lack of not making key shots killed them in the long run.....cassell...injured.....(prob ably threw the pg position out of synch...he shouldnt of played at all...should of just had martin in the whole time..) refs...had some BULLSHIT calls tonight....and thats the reason they lost...congrats to the hollywood fakers ;)

I think I'd be stuck up if I won three NBA championships in a row.

And how does attending court before a playoff game make Kobe stuck up? He may be a criminal, but I don't really understand how that would also make him stuck up.

Of course Malone wants to be noticed, he went from being the focal point of the Jazz's franchise to being a secondary player with the Lakers.

I don't really understand why you hate the Lakers. I think it would be justified to dislike Payton and Malone, since they did come to the best team in the league solely to win a championship. And it's not like the pay cut really affected them, they're still making a nice amount of money and have several millions from their previous earnings.

Regardless of them, the Lakers would still win the championship this year. Their depth is unbelievable. Devin George and Derek Fisher are easily two of the most underrated players in the league. Not to mention, they also have Rick Fox, Luke Walton, and Kareem Rush (all three are solid players).

[SonnyPunk]

Fuck The Lakers...Let em have their fun because this is it boys...no more Malone and Payton next season...no more Kobe...no more Phil Jackson. Then let's see how many of you root those bastards on.
I laughed when I read how many of you said Malone and Payton deserve a championship...do you have any idea how many great athletes out there deserve a championship? Tons of them...but in case you didnt get the memo...Teams win championships...not players! If they couldnt carry their teams to a championship then they should have just accepted that and been content in their own achievements. But no...they hop on board someone elses team who is already expected to win the title just so they can say they won one. Fuck you pussies.
And I cant wait till Shaq retires...Id rather watch someone athletic dominate the sport than someone who just happens to have been born a giant. Theres nothing exciting about watching someone whose far bigger than everyone else put a ball in a hoop from point blank range.
But I called it back in february...Lakers Vs. Pistons...but after tonight its iffy...Pacers looked good.

[ohlookitspaul]

like a true lakers fan, i will still be rooting for them even if they are the last team in the league next year. i stand by my team.

but of course they won't be last. it's the lakers for god's sake.

[open mind]

Fuck The Lakers...Let em have their fun because this is it boys...no more Malone and Payton next season...no more Kobe...no more Phil Jackson. Then let's see how many of you root those bastards on.
I laughed when I read how many of you said Malone and Payton deserve a championship...do you have any idea how many great athletes out there deserve a championship? Tons of them...but in case you didnt get the memo...Teams win championships...not players! If they couldnt carry their teams to a championship then they should have just accepted that and been content in their own achievements. But no...they hop on board someone elses team who is already expected to win the title just so they can say they won one. Fuck you pussies.
And I cant wait till Shaq retires...Id rather watch someone athletic dominate the sport than someone who just happens to have been born a giant. Theres nothing exciting about watching someone whose far bigger than everyone else put a ball in a hoop from point blank range.
But I called it back in february...Lakers Vs. Pistons...but after tonight its iffy...Pacers looked good.
i don't like the lakers (if the kings had taken the series against the wolves malone and payton would be fucked), but just because alot of players weren't smart enough or weren't willing to take a paycut for a chance to play on a championship team doesn't make those that have pussies (they still have to go out and win the championship stacked teams don't always win look at the yankees)
shaq is a bore to watch for sure.

[kevin]

Phil Jackson has not officially announced that he's leaving the team. Kobe isn't gone for sure either. All they need is them and Shaq and they can still win rings.

[SonnyPunk]

If they win this year look for the dynasty to crumble...Kobe has stated that he'd like to play for The Clippers or The Sixers...I hope he goes to The Clippers...stay out of the East you bastard.
As for tonights game...The Wolves gave up a freebie. They had a lead going into the 4th quarter...Shaq...Kobe...and Malone all in foul trouble. What more do you fucking need?! Step up! Oh well I didnt expect anything better out of them.

[ohlookitspaul]

lakers....

WHAT! WHAT, BIATCHES?!

*cough* had to get that out of my system

[open mind]

sometimes i hate when i'm right, my prediction of the lakers taking the series 4-2 is one of those times.
detroit is gonna wrap that bitch up tonight.

[open mind]

i was right again.

[Skibz]

How much were they?
DOWN WITH THE LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ACTUALLY I DON'T REALLY CARE WHO WINS...

[Patrick]

i was right again.
What???, I so called it like last week... so i own, i even have the pistons vs lakers prediction.... Pistons in 7...yep

[SwingingMics]

I got pistons as well, but in 6.

[SonnyPunk]

Hell Yeah baby! I had a dream last week about this series...all I knew in my dream was that the series will go 7 games. If thats the case then you gotta think The Lakers will win it. But god I hope The Pistons can win this thing! Bring the title back to the East...Shaq said his goal is to win 7 championships, well fuck him. Dont let him get one more...and fuck Malone and Payton! The time if the East has finally arrived, its now or never.

[ohlookitspaul]

lakers in 6

[open mind]

i like that the pistons beat the lakers at home, but i know deep down the lakers are going to take the series in the end, maybe if the pistons take game 2 i'll start believing they can pull it off.

[Sinister Rouge]

Winning the championship is up to the Lakers, Detroit will accomodate them if they don't really want it. As much as I like the Lakers, I do not currently like this specific team. They are heart-less wonders.

Detroit also got a ton of lucky shots last night.

I say Lakers in 6...remember they lost Game 1 at home against Larry Brown's Sixers in 2001.

[SwingingMics]

I liked Detroits game plan though, one on one vs shaq, let kobe score as well, but they completely shut everyone else down. Kobe and Shaq scored something like 59 of their 75 pts, and the pistons still won by 10+. I think if the Pistons can just play well offensively they will win because their Defense is too dominant. Plus Rip Hamilton didn't play well last night, Rasheed got in early foul trouble and is still bothered by his back. I think the Pistons can easily win this series.

[SonnyPunk]

It doesnt matter that the sixers won game 1 in 2001...The sixers are nothing like The Pistons. Its apples and oranges.
Kobe and that big dumb fuck Shaquille both had good games...especially Shaq, he scored 34 points. But The Pistons still won by 12...and Detroit didnt play nearly as well as they are capable of playing. Rip Hamilton has been the go-to guy the entire post season, yet he didnt play well last night. The Pistons also had sooo many turnovers which were converted into 19 Lakers points. Yet they still won convincingly...this series is theirs if they can step up to the challenge. The Lakers are gonna come back strong in game 2 so they better be ready.

[Patrick]

It doesnt matter that the sixers won game 1 in 2001...The sixers are nothing like The Pistons. Its apples and oranges.
Kobe and that big dumb fuck Shaquille both had good games...especially Shaq, he scored 34 points. But The Pistons still won by 12...and Detroit didnt play nearly as well as they are capable of playing. Rip Hamilton has been the go-to guy the entire post season, yet he didnt play well last night. The Pistons also had sooo many turnovers which were converted into 19 Lakers points. Yet they still won convincingly...this series is theirs if they can step up to the challenge. The Lakers are gonna come back strong in game 2 so they better be ready.
If the pistons have game 3,4 and 5 at home and they have only lost two home games in a period of two months, so if they can win 3 at home, its very doable.

[davedesloover18]

Winning the championship is up to the Lakers, Detroit will accomodate them if they don't really want it. As much as I like the Lakers, I do not currently like this specific team. They are heart-less wonders.

Detroit also got a ton of lucky shots last night.

I say Lakers in 6...remember they lost Game 1 at home against Larry Brown's Sixers in 2001.
i remember the sixers, and i'm afraid that the pistons team that showed up in game 4 against the pacers will show up again
however, i don't like that people say it's LA's to win or lose, and how all of the Lakers in their press conferences said it was their fault for playing badly, and they gave no credit to detroit. i have a feeling that they're going to be giving credit where it's due soon enough. teams will start preaching defense like it's in style next year.

[ohlookitspaul]

reasons why tonight's game was cool:

a. bryant and o'neal scored all of the laker's last 16 points, 13 of those when both players had 5 fouls

b. they played black eyed peas's "let's get retarded" at the staples center

[boysdontcry]

ahem, they played "let's get it started." they totally butchered that song to make it more fitting for the playoffs.

[SonnyPunk]

Fuckin Lakers...I hate em. They stole a win tonight, which is nothing for them to be excited about considering they were assembled to win the championship...and they were at home where they lost game 1. They should be scared shitless considering Detroit took away home court and nearly had this game won.
I should be an NBA commentator...as soon as they passed the ball into Shaq I was screaming "FOUL HIM!"...too bad they couldnt hear me back in New Jersey. The announcers didnt even pick up on how easily Detroit could've won the game...a few minutes later they brought up the idea of fouling Shaq in that situation. I guess the Pistons didnt have the presence of mind in that pressure situation...neither did the announcers. Now thats all they are talking about on Sportscenter.
Whatever, time to move on. Most people were predicting a sweep...even after game 1 they were still talking about The Lakers winning the next 4 easily. Maybe now people will give the East coast some credit. Detroit is the team to dismantle this dynasty...whether anyone is willing to admit it or not. If this is how The Lakers perform on their home court in this series...I look forward to seeing what happens in Michigan...

By the way...the highlight of the game was when Ben Wallace rejected the shit out of Shaquille...I loved that!

[open mind]

every team is assembled with the goal of winning a championship.
shaq was making his free throws tonight.
detroit choked in the last minute of regulation, and the lakers worked for the win tonight.
i hope detroit takes both of thier home games.

[davedesloover18]

overtime never would have happened if someone, preferrably tayshaun, had fouled kobe with 5 seconds left. send him to the line, let him make 2, and get the ball back and make the lakers foul. game over.
oh well, the pistons can win all three at home if they play the games go this well

[SwingingMics]

overtime never would have happened if someone, preferrably tayshaun, had fouled kobe with 5 seconds left. send him to the line, let him make 2, and get the ball back and make the lakers foul. game over.
oh well, the pistons can win all three at home if they play the games go this well
Yea, def bad decision not to foul at the end, but that game still gives me confidence that the Pistons will win in 6 as i have predicted. I think they'll win 2 of 3 at home and than the first game back in LA. Karl Malone hurt, Gay Payton non-existent, the Lakers have to rely on Luke Walton and Kareem Rush to make up for it, and we all know Luke Walton isn't going to play like that every game. Pistons hold LA under 75 at least 2 of the Games in Detroit.

[SonnyPunk]

Nothing would make me happier than seeing The Unbeatable Lakers fall to a so called "weak" eastern conference team in the finals. Especially with all the hype about LA. This has the making of being a great moments in professional sports history. A classic "David and Goliath" type scenario. The perfect ending would be seeing Rip Hamilton hitting a game winning shot over Kobe...or seeing Kobe go for the game winning shot only to be rejected by Rip.
Does anyone watch "The best damn sports show period"? Tom Arnold is so annoying...he always talks about The Lakers like they are underdogs or something. He said "God is watching over them...he wants them to win!" What an asshole...the devil is probably rooting for them. They are what is wrong with the game of basketball.
And to Openmind, who said every team is assembled to win a championship....thats not necessarily true. Of course every team hopes to win a championship, and they do what they can to try and obtain players that can best help them to reach that goal...but The Lakers used their money and hype to create a team that is almost impossible to beat in a series. They have 4 hall of famers...this team wasnt created for a long term goal. This team was made to guarantee a tenth ring for Phil Jackson...and the first for Malone and Payton. From the start of the season all the experts knew this team has little to no chance of losing. Its annoying as a basketball fan.
The difference between the Pistons and The Lakers is that The Pistons are playing with heart. The Lakers are desperate to keep their dominance and glory and add another ring to the collection. Any idiot know The Lakers are the superior team...I just hope The Pistons heart and determination will be enough to bring them to the top.

[Alex Djaferis]

detroit have a good shot at winning in my opinion. that last game was unlucky. detroit should have won it.

[davedesloover18]

Game 3 tonight, GO PISTONS!

[Patrick]

Detriot will two of three at home, and then they have proven they can win anywhere on the road....basically the lakers are fucked. The lakers would be so shitty without kobe, hes the only reason there in the finals. Shee and Big Ben have been doing really well in the the low court, and there front court has been doind awesome as well, it was just that stupid shot by kobe. Did you see when Malone was on a break away and he went to lay it up and tayshawn stuffed him?? that was insane except one of the useless lakers put it back in :(...Go east!

[Sinister Rouge]

This is coming from a Laker fan- I hate the current team, heartless wonders

This team is lucky, if it wasn't for a lucky shot and a lucky injury(Cassell), we wouldn't be in the finals. Then it took Kareem Rush to save the Lakers in Game 6 against the T-Wolves. They take plays off, they can't keep large leads, they play right into the opponents hands, they are giddy and don't take games seriously, and just have no heart save for Rush and Walton. They expect to win without working for it. It takes their backs to be against the wall before they start playing like they should (ex. San Antonio series).

Detroits D is good, but San Antonio's is just as good. The Lakers won Game 2 by ATTACKING THE FUCKING BASKET, they settle for jumpshots, they will lose like they did in Game 1 and 3. It was Detroit that got lucky in Game 2 because Malone was hurt. The Pistons are designed to stop shooting teams, not attack teams. They had less trouble with the Pacers, than the Nets(attack team). We have Shaq, they can't really stop him, if we attack the basket, we win. Shaq will tire anyone out.

I still think the Lakers will win in 7, when they have their backs to the wall, they play much better. They will take 1 in Detroit and Games 6 and 7. Hopefully tonights blowout loss will help the Lakers play better. Blowouts are caused by the losing team, not the winning team when the favorite loses.

[open mind]

man, the lakers just got their asses handed to them, worst finals game they've ever had.......if the lakers don't take game 4 detroits got the series locked, i thought the offense of the lakers would be alot better and their defense would slow down the pistons offense enough for the lakers to take the series with ease, but here's to pleasant suprises.

[Sinister Rouge]

The Indiana-LA 2000 series game 5 was worse, we lost by 30.

We didn't show up, our gameplan was flawed, they had more heart. The Lakers have to have their backs against the wall to play well, I hope they feel like their backs against the wall right now, not when it is 3-1.

No team has ever won all 3 home games in the finals with the 2-3-2 format. That gives hope to the Lakers.

[Alex Djaferis]

its about time the east get a real good shot at the title. go detroit!. What a lovely shock and change this would be.

had kobe not hit that 3 in game 2. detroit could be ONE win away from a sweep. thats saying something. Detroit are dominating.

[open mind]

The Indiana-LA 2000 series game 5 was worse, we lost by 30.

We didn't show up, our gameplan was flawed, they had more heart. The Lakers have to have their backs against the wall to play well, I hope they feel like their backs against the wall right now, not when it is 3-1.

No team has ever won all 3 home games in the finals with the 2-3-2 format. That gives hope to the Lakers.
well it was the worst game for the lakers in terms of scoring, they'd never before been held under 70 in any of their previous finals games.

[davedesloover18]

I still think the Lakers will win in 7, when they have their backs to the wall, they play much better. They will take 1 in Detroit and Games 6 and 7. Hopefully tonights blowout loss will help the Lakers play better. Blowouts are caused by the losing team, not the winning team when the favorite loses.
i'm going to go ahead and disagree. If you watched the game, it was clear that the Pistons had a lot to do with the fact that the won by 20. LA likes to go to their press conferences and blame themselves, but how can you say you aren't playing to your full potential when it's the finals? When are you going to start playing hard?

LA and almost every sportscaster pretty much figured they had it won before it started. I really find it amusing that all of these high-payed analysts couldn't see how well Detroit played defense, and that Indiana is a better team than LA anyways. I had a good feeling that the finals would go Detroit's way: low scoring, and sure enough, the lowest Lakers score in the playoffs ever.

I think that it's not LA's to lose anymore, it's the Pistons'. LA has had no way to stop Billups and Hamilton, and Larry Brown has been creating great matchups against Shaq and Kobe. As long as Detroit keeps playing well, LA will be lucky if they get beat back home instead of at the Palace.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2004/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&id=1819168

[Sinister Rouge]

Detroit has to win Games 4 and 5 to win.......if they go back to LA, the Pistons are the ones in trouble. The Lakers didn't play well yesterday because they never attacked the basket. To beat the Pistons, you have to attack the basket and draw fouls. They did it in Game 2, they did not in Game 1 and 3. LA needs to play more aggressive on both sides of the ball.

San Antonio is better than Detroit and just as good defensively. In that series, we attacked the basket, moved the ball around, and shut Duncan and Parker down. The series is still up to LA. Yeah, they will get blown out if they don't show up because the Pistons will always try and play their best. The Lakers do not play their hardest because they think they can cruise.

LA has to have their backs to the wall to play better, take San Antonio for example

[SonnyPunk]

I love how every analyst and the majority of all basketball fans were saying Detroit had no chance...now finally after game 3 they are seeing how wrong they were. Whoever posted before and said that no team has ever won the 3 home games in a row with the 2-3-2 format is right...but theres a first time for everything. No team has been able to beat The Lakers in the Staples center in this years playoffs either. Well Detroit came in and did that in game 1, and nearly did it twice in a row in game 2. Id love to see them win all 3 at home, but Id also really love to see The Pistons become the NBA champions in front of LA's crowd...those frontrunners. Now Im glad Detroit beat my Nets...because I know The Pistons are the only team with a chance to beat The Lakers.
It pisses me off how The Lakers make excuses about why they lost...they give no credit to Detroit. And when they win they make jokes and act like the arrogant assholes they are. Especially Shaq and Kobe...this victory is going to be so fucking sweet for Eastern Conference basketball.

[ohlookitspaul]

ok fine, lakers in seven then...:redface:

[Sinister Rouge]

I love how every analyst and the majority of all basketball fans were saying Detroit had no chance...now finally after game 3 they are seeing how wrong they were. Whoever posted before and said that no team has ever won the 3 home games in a row with the 2-3-2 format is right...but theres a first time for everything. No team has been able to beat The Lakers in the Staples center in this years playoffs either. Well Detroit came in and did that in game 1, and nearly did it twice in a row in game 2. Id love to see them win all 3 at home, but Id also really love to see The Pistons become the NBA champions in front of LA's crowd...those frontrunners. Now Im glad Detroit beat my Nets...because I know The Pistons are the only team with a chance to beat The Lakers.
It pisses me off how The Lakers make excuses about why they lost...they give no credit to Detroit. And when they win they make jokes and act like the arrogant assholes they are. Especially Shaq and Kobe...this victory is going to be so fucking sweet for Eastern Conference basketball.

Lakers lost this finals more than Detroit won it. They played right into their hands, never went inside, made unforced errors, took bad shots, etc. No matter, the Lakers lose. They obviously did nothing to prepare. The refs also helped the Pistons somewhat. Its not the excuses that is bad, its not fixing these "excuses".

This is why Malone and Payton cannot win a title, they just do not step up.

But if Detroit doesn't close it out, they could be in trouble, thats the 2-3-2.

Analysts are stupid, I seriously wanted to face Indiana. Note to analysts, when someone has a good D, don't count them out, especially when the Lakers are overrated.

[Sinister Rouge]

ok fine, lakers in seven then...:redface:

If they win Game 5, yes the Lakers can win...no team has won all there home games in the three part of the 2-3-2. Rarely does a road team win 6 or 7.

[SonnyPunk]

Lakers lost this finals more than Detroit won it.

Lol you sound just like one of The Lakers...you dont wanna give Detroit credit where credit is deserved. The Pistons definately won this more than The Lakers lost it. The Pistons arent playing them the way they are used to being played. Shaq is usually double or triple teamed which frees open 1 or 2 guys who can easily drain a wide open look. So if Shaq cant score someone else can. Well Detroit is giving Shaq his opportunity to dominate...but this is forcing LA to play in a style they arent used to...everyone is out of whack. The Pistons are playing with heart, passion, and hunger...something The Lakers no nothing about.
Detroit is united as a team...The Lakers are not. When 5 players take the coach in the bathroom and ask him to sit 2 of there starters because they dont think they can win with them it shows the team is on the same track...This will be a great day for basketball when Detroit wins.

[Alex Djaferis]

Bring the rings back to the east!

[open mind]

the lakers have just been taken out of their game the whole series, detroits defense has been suffocating, and the lakers D has never been that great because they depend on outscoring their opponents rather then playing tough.

[davedesloover18]

Detroit is united as a team...The Lakers are not. When 5 players take the coach in the bathroom and ask him to sit 2 of there starters because they dont think they can win with them it shows the team is on the same track...This will be a great day for basketball when Detroit wins.
Exactly.
I can't believe Phil Jackson is either too afraid of the egos on the team or too afraid to switch things up. I agree with the Laker team too, there is no way Malone or Payton should be starting with the way they are playing.
But I don't mind one bit. :lol2:

[SonnyPunk]

Dont be surprised if Malone doesnt start tomorrow...Im sure Payton will though. Im sure we will see one hell of a close game tomorrow. Now The Lakers have no excuses, its win or go home!

[SwingingMics]

Kobe is losing the series for LA. Horrible shot selection, and selfish on offense. I am rooting for the Pistons, but honestly Shaq is unstoppable and he should get 30 (at least) shots a game. Also, Tayshaun is doing a hell of a job frustrating Kobe and making him force horrible shots as well. There is no way Kobe should get more shots than Shaq on any given night.
Rasheed vs Medvadenko - mismatch, Sheed should go for 25+, 10+ again on Tuesday.
Predicted score, Detroit 86 L.A. 74

[Sinister Rouge]

No one showed up for LA, LA are a bunch of flukes this year..all because of 0.4 sec shot and Cassell's injury, the Lakers wound up in the finals. Hopefully, Malone and Payton are gone and we get actual team players. If LA prepared for this series, they would have won..but it seems like they didn't even prepare, and the kept talking a good game not playing one. Mouths don't win games.

This is not an upset, the Lakers were just horribly overrated. The Rockets-Magic finals was an upset, this series isn't.

If San Antonio played Detroit, San Antonio would win, there D is just as good. They were just fluked out of the playoffs.

[ohlookitspaul]

oh woe...woe...

[open mind]

pistons are the nba champs, and my jaded ass now knows all is not wrong with the world.
shaq and kobe could have at least stayed on the floor and taken the loss like men.

[davedesloover18]

My life is one step closer to complete :D

[piebaldkid42]

ah yes, its great to see LA lose again

[SonnyPunk]

A perfect end to an amazing postseason...I hope The Lakers sit in their rooms and cry like bitches. Its all over now...no more Malone and Payton...probably no more Fischer and Fox. Possibly no more Kobe...no more Jackson...I LOVE IT! Eastern Conference forever!

[open mind]

kings will take it all next year if the team doesn't get dismantled in the off-season.

[SwingingMics]

kings will take it all next year if the team doesn't get dismantled in the off-season.
I'm picking the Timberwolves. As long as they have Mark Madsen.

But I think we all cannot rule out the east next year, like probably most of us did this year. Indiana and Detroit are going to be awfully good again.

[Stand Up Jack]

I'm from Michigan, so first of all, lemme say Hooray for the Pistons....

second of all,

I think the Pistons will certainly be a force to be reckoned with next season. Considering the team just started coming together as a team at the tail end of the season and after a tough New Jersey series, basically blew through the playoffs... if the Pistons can resign Rasheed Wallace and maybe pick up a talented free agent - especially one that packs some offensive punch - plus, with Carlos Delfino (the Pistons' other first round pick last year) coming to the U.S. to play, and the core of the Pistons (Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Wallaces, Larry Brown) still intact... with Darko on tap once he matures and learns the game and bulks up some more - I think the Pistons can be a great team for several years to come. Hell, they were a pretty damn good team even before Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace joined. Can't argue with two central division championships and then the Larry O'Brien trophy this year...

I'm happy that the Pistons taught the NBA a new style of play. I had become bored with basketball because it was just highlight-reel dunks that all looked alike. Pistons make people work to get baskets - no easy layups or dunks.
I'm picking the Timberwolves. As long as they have Mark Madsen.

But I think we all cannot rule out the east next year, like probably most of us did this year. Indiana and Detroit are going to be awfully good again.

[Stand Up Jack]

I also expect big things out of the Pacers. Reggie Miller might retire, but Rick Carlisle is a very good coach. I credit him (and Joe Dumars) for turning the Pistons around, and he gave Indiana a GREAT regular season this past year. If Indy and Detroit meet in the East Finals next year, I could see it going seven games. Pistons were in much of the same situation as the Pacers were in this year, losing the conference finals... the Pacers are going to be hungry next year. But then, the Pistons will be hungry to defend their title, and Detroit has a knack for winning titles in pairs :-)

I'm from Michigan, so first of all, lemme say Hooray for the Pistons....

second of all,

I think the Pistons will certainly be a force to be reckoned with next season. Considering the team just started coming together as a team at the tail end of the season and after a tough New Jersey series, basically blew through the playoffs... if the Pistons can resign Rasheed Wallace and maybe pick up a talented free agent - especially one that packs some offensive punch - plus, with Carlos Delfino (the Pistons' other first round pick last year) coming to the U.S. to play, and the core of the Pistons (Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Wallaces, Larry Brown) still intact... with Darko on tap once he matures and learns the game and bulks up some more - I think the Pistons can be a great team for several years to come. Hell, they were a pretty damn good team even before Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace joined. Can't argue with two central division championships and then the Larry O'Brien trophy this year...

I'm happy that the Pistons taught the NBA a new style of play. I had become bored with basketball because it was just highlight-reel dunks that all looked alike. Pistons make people work to get baskets - no easy layups or dunks.

[SonnyPunk]

Forget The Pacers...Al Harrington most likely wont be playing with them next season. I dont think they'll even make it to the conference finals next time. Im eager to see what my Nets can come up with this offseason. If some of the trade rumors are true they could be the going back to The Finals again.
But if Shaq goes to The Mavs they will be the team to beat...especially if they find a way to keep Nowitski. Now theres a scary thought...also scary is the thought of Mcgrady and Yao...looks like The West will remain dominant for the most part. Everything is gonna be shaken up next season.

[Alex Djaferis]

Forget The Pacers...Al Harrington most likely wont be playing with them next season. I dont think they'll even make it to the conference finals next time. Im eager to see what my Nets can come up with this offseason. If some of the trade rumors are true they could be the going back to The Finals again.
But if Shaq goes to The Mavs they will be the team to beat...especially if they find a way to keep Nowitski. Now theres a scary thought...also scary is the thought of Mcgrady and Yao...looks like The West will remain dominant for the most part. Everything is gonna be shaken up next season.

what are the NJ rumors?

And yeah, if Mcgrady goes to houston...wow thats gonna be insane. Yao and Tmac is a very scary thought.

Okafor better go to orlando, and IF (big big if) Grant Hîll is healthy...we should be able to salvage the damage of Mcgrady leaving. (plus we are getting lots of decent players in return for mcgrady..and getting rid of Juwan howard who was a dissappointment.)

[BuriedAlive]

what are the NJ rumors?

And yeah, if Mcgrady goes to houston...wow thats gonna be insane. Yao and Tmac is a very scary thought.

Okafor better go to orlando, and IF (big big if) Grant Hîll is healthy...we should be able to salvage the damage of Mcgrady leaving. (plus we are getting lots of decent players in return for mcgrady..and getting rid of Juwan howard who was a dissappointment.)
Holy hell Miami OWNS Orlando. So fuck TMAC that little bitchs wants to leave so be it. I had respect for em till he had to whimp out like pussdog shaq. ha. Okafor and hopefully Francis will help the magic. I could care less Miami is my florida team has been for like 5 years now.

[BuriedAlive]

I want kobe to go to Miami! haha. i think he will go to either memphis or probably stay its really weird in his situation. shaq also has a chance to go to memphis. so look out for memphis in the offseason guys.

[Alex Djaferis]

Holy hell Miami OWNS Orlando. So fuck TMAC that little bitchs wants to leave so be it. I had respect for em till he had to whimp out like pussdog shaq. ha. Okafor and hopefully Francis will help the magic. I could care less Miami is my florida team has been for like 5 years now.

Francis doesnt want to go to Orlando, thats the problem.
And i lost my respect for TMac, hes one lazy big mouthed kid. Good player, but good be EVEN better if his work ethic was up to scratch.

[BuriedAlive]

Francis doesnt want to go to Orlando, thats the problem.
And i lost my respect for TMac, hes one lazy big mouthed kid. Good player, but good be EVEN better if his work ethic was up to scratch.
Orlando wouldn't have only won like 21 games if he would have actually tried to be a leader and stop being a damn baby. The hell with Francis to. There are much better and much younger guys out there. Send his bitch ass to Dallas and get josh howard and marquis daniels, and draft Okafor... Orlando would OWN. ha.

[Alex Djaferis]

Orlando wouldn't have only won like 21 games if he would have actually tried to be a leader and stop being a damn baby. The hell with Francis to. There are much better and much younger guys out there. Send his bitch ass to Dallas and get josh howard and marquis daniels, and draft Okafor... Orlando would OWN. ha.

haha, id give daniels and howard some mor time to develop. they have some serious potential though.

Seems like Shaq wants to go to dallas....its gonna be one hell of a team. full of bastards. lol. nah, theyre ok, i dont like Cuban.

[BuriedAlive]

haha, id give daniels and howard some mor time to develop. they have some serious potential though.

Seems like Shaq wants to go to dallas....its gonna be one hell of a team. full of bastards. lol. nah, theyre ok, i dont like Cuban.
i wouldnt shit. i really like those two. haha. the only two really from that team. they deserve to be on a real team. and why give em more time to develop... look at miami last year they did awesome with a nice young team.

[SonnyPunk]

what are the NJ rumors?



They are supposedly in talks with portland about getting Shareef Abdur-Raheem and some other bench guys for Kerry Kittles and a couple bench guys. Then we'd have Martin and Shareef at the forward positions, and they'd move Richard Jefferson to the shooting guard position. It sounds crazy but I think it could work. We'd be an even worse shooting team than before but we'd be a hell of an attack team.

There is also talk of Martin leaving which scares the shit out of me...I love KMart.

[BuriedAlive]

i wouldnt shit. i really like those two. haha. the only two really from that team. they deserve to be on a real team. and why give em more time to develop... look at miami last year they did awesome with a nice young team.
im going to reply to myself because this will never happen. because Orlando IS the dumbest team in the league taking that high schooler. but they did make a sweet move getting jamir nelson.

[SonnyPunk]

I wont comment on the Magics choice until I learn what they are doing with Mcgrady. Im not sure what the team will look like next year...but Okafor did seem like the logical choice for them. Im sure they have something up their sleeve.

[BuriedAlive]

I wont comment on the Magics choice until I learn what they are doing with Mcgrady. Im not sure what the team will look like next year...but Okafor did seem like the logical choice for them. Im sure they have something up their sleeve.
They better have something up their sleeve. I'm thinking they would be going for a center because they have giricek (sp?) and gooden they dont really need forwards they need a damn center. something okafor could have played. guess they figured howard (thats his name right?) was better or something. or maybe they are going for the small fast team having gooden play center. i dont know but they could be really good. i just dont know anymore.