New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[jadis]

Heat and Sixers getting the job done. 3-0 and it's just about on to the next round. Pacers amazingly is giving the Bulls a big fight for these first 3 games. The difference is, Rose and Deng are very consistent while Grainger, Hibbert and Hansbrough are not. The Big 3 of the Heat are living up to their billing, silencing the critics. Tomorrow, a big one for the LAL, Phil Jackson is very good on Game 3s to take back homecourt. NO has to really really prepare to hold serve in their territory.

 

[steve williams]

So here is a question for my astute basketball friends.

Phil Jackson's last year......Yes

Will Brian Shaw replace him...... Maybe yes but maybe no


Rick Adelman is available.

What say you guys re next year's coach

 

[jadis]

I think Shaw is the best choice given he has good rapport with the players already. Hard to say this, but it's not easy coaching the Lakers, as centered on Kobe. He needs to like his coach or else...We recall what Magic Johnson did to Paul Westhead in '79. Shaw knows the players already and to bring in outsiders like Adelman or others would disrupt some chemistry.

 

[steve williams]

I think Shaw is the best choice given he has good rapport with the players already. Hard to say this, but it's not easy coaching the Lakers, as centered on Kobe. He needs to like his coach or else...We recall what Magic Johnson did to Paul Westhead in '79. Shaw knows the players already and to bring in outsiders like Adelman or others would disrupt some chemistry.

At least the real Lakers showed up tonight. Good game. Lakers prevail.

 

[jadis]

I have a gut feel the Lakers would show up tonight, Steve. I have seen them many times taking back home court after losing it. It seems like that is their motivation. It's hard to beat LA with their backs to the wall. They don't die easily.

 

[steve williams]

They did look really good last night

Tomorrow's game is pivotal in the series

 

[steve williams]

OK guys we have some series going on.

Bulls lose at the wire and how about Dallas looking invincible in the second half only to blow a 23 point lead and lose in the last .39 seconds

That leaves only 3 for a potential sweep and who would have thought

Heat
Celtics
OKC

Oh and BTW as I am typing this Grizz over SAS by 8 early in the 4th

 

[steve williams]

Sixers avoid the sweep and Hawks go up 3-1

Celtics sweep

Boston is looking very good but Knicks were definitely undermanned

 

[steve williams]

And Lakers fall to NOH with CP3's triple double

Lakers looked good at the beginning but Hornets just had more of a will to win

Grrrhhhh

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

Lakers lost all is not lost ... Told you Celtics were going to be their iusual great selves when comes the time .. When Shaq comes back they will be even more difficult to beat ... If the HEat can beat them they will reach the finals and likely win their championship mien should come from beating the Celts , the way Detroit finally did it back in the 90's ... To say I was impressed by their play and their defense is an understatement ...

Lakers look bored and they seem to rely on Kobe to raise the fire .. It doesn't seem to be a Team thing rather they defer to Kobe and Fisher for inspiration ... They were playing flat and it showed .. I am surprised by several mental lapses from Gasol ... He is chosing a worng time to have such ... Bynum plays well , if only he could stay out of foul troubles .. I expected more from Matt barnes ... complete absence .. Steve Blake could help but not this year .. All n all bench is a problem .. Ron has been saying it all year .. I am beginning to think the same ... Let's however wait. They got to the championship last year after having to win the first round in a seven game series (or was it the year before?)

 

[Ron Party]

The Lakers lost the game due to 3 shortcomings: (1) their defensive rebounding was atrocious ... how many points did the Hornets score off of second chance opportunities?; (2) Kobe had an awful shooting game ... which has a heck of a lot to do with Ariza's defense, the best I've seen against Kobe, including D. Wade & Bruce Bowen; and (3) they left a ton of points at the free throw line. Their pick and roll defense is a bit better but still lacking ... Gasol and Bynum are way to slow getting to the trap position.

 

[steve williams]

I agree as well as where was Gasol mentally. Kobe gave him a perfect pass at the end of the game that he totally let go between his fingers

 

[Ron Party]

Yep, Gasol had bricklayer hands on that pass. He took his eyes off the pass in his haste to turn toward the basket. Clutch players don't do that. Choke. BUT, if the Lakers make some free throws, well... They went 22 for 30 at the line. In the playoffs, that's brutal.

 

[steve williams]

even Kobe was missing at the line

Big question is whether he will play tomorrow as he left on crutches yesterday.

 

[steve williams]

Memphis wins huge over the Spurs and lead 3-1

Portland was holding its own against Dallas but is now fading at the end

 

[steve williams]

who would have thought that Boston is the only team to sweep in the first round

 

[rblnr]

who would have thought that Boston is the only team to sweep in the first round

Not me. Still think though that the Bulls or Heat take them out in the East.

The Spurs look very done.

 

[steve williams]

I agree about Boston. I was just making the point that they are the only team to weep in the first round

Pop looked beside himself yesterday when he was getting hammered by the Grizz

I still believe we haven't heard from all of the lower tier teams

It will be tough for the Blazers but next game is at home.

Grizzlies look like a well honed team last night

 

[FrantzM]

Not me. Still think though that the Bulls or Heat take them out in the East.

The Spurs look very done.

As a Lakers it is hard to root for the Celts but as basketball fan , I can only admire a great team .. They are playing well.. Pierce is back, Ray Allen loks young again , Kevin Garnett has regain his trademark intensity and self-effacement .. Rajah Rondo is ... well one of my favorite player ... As point guards come he is one of the best with a basketball IQ that can only be termed "huge" .. even Jermaine O'neal is playing well .. They have a team that can play the Heat to a standstill .. Lebron or DWade will not have an open path to the basket and if Shaq is healthy enough to play ... They can land in the Finals ... I see them being that good ... Consider the match-ups and see how good they really are.. The Knicks were indeed depleted but still good enough to cause trouble to a lesser team .. not Boston they are about beating the opponent .. I sincerely believe that the most interesting games in the playoff will be the Celts vs the Heat ... and I think the Celts will prevail .. If I were Chicago I would wish otherwise because the team that can beat them is Boston not Miami. Atlanta can still unnerves otherwise very good teams and frankly Orlando doesn't look like they will beat them .. If they do beat Orlando, it will boost their already surging confidence and they will play Chicago in ways that will expose the Bulls greatly .. While I am impressed with th Bulls and have been since the beginning of the season , i see Boston as the favorite if only because of their maturity, team experience, team chemistry (back online was offline at the end of the season) and two people : Doc Rivers and Rajon Rondo

 

[steve williams]

all good points Frantz but by my figuring Boston and/or Heat need to go through Chicago to get to the finals and from what I have seen this year, this Bulls team is filled with many young, fast stars as well as "one" even faster superstar. My bet bet is now some leaning between Bulls in the East vs either Lakers or OKC.

Bulls vs OKC would be a playoff beyond belief