2006 / 2007 NBA Thread

[svosen]

Will be interesting to see the league's reaction to the following:

* Lebron's accidental clothesline of Wade
* Ginobli's "accidental" (I wonder, seriously) kneeing of Amare

Based on the strong words of Stu Jackson a couple days ago (specifically the part about how the league warned players before the season that even "accidental" hard fouls would lead to suspensions), and based on his treatment of Kobe, I'll be seriously ticked off if Lebron and Ginobli don't each get a game off.

That's not to say I think what they each did warrants a suspension. I'm just still ticked off about the Kobe incident

[Cowboy22]

If they suspend Ginobli, I won't really care because he has a track record of being a little bitch, and it does seem like the sort of thing he would. If they suspend LeBron for what was obviously an accident (even more so than what Kobe did), I'll be pissed.

[svosen]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...dime_070203-04

Check out the Podcast in box #8 on this page.

[Cowboy22]

That was pretty good, and I usually hate Marc Stein. Maybe it was the hosts; something about someone with a thick Texas accent talking about basketball makes me laugh. But I do agree with most of what they were saying. Wade gets waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many bullshit calls in his favor, the Kobe suspension was dumb (as is this mandate that elbows of all kind warrent a suspension, good thing Malone retired when he did), the fan voting for the All-Star game is usually retarded, but probably the best system out there, and the Hall of Fame is broken.

[Cowboy22]

The Jazz are 5-1 and have been rolling since Boozer got hurt. I certainly don't think they're better off without him, but it's encouraging. Deron Williams has started playing at his early season level again, Paul Millsap has been a monster down low ever since he got plugged into the starting spot, and Matt Harpring has started to heat up a bit. But the biggest reason that they've been so great is Okur, who's really stepped up for them in key moments. He might be the most underrated clutch player in the league. I love this team; they get a lot of people involved on offense, and run the fast break beautifully. It's basketball the way it's meant to be played. Now if they can just get AK-47 to play the way he's capable of doing...

[svosen]

Yeah, I've been noticing Okur gets a lot of mentions lately. Have to say I'm surprised to see the Jazz hanging around so high in the rankings this late in the season. Seems reasonable to think they're gonna give somebody(s) fits in the post season. Should be an exciting May this year, out west, at least.

Actually, it might be exciting in the east, too. Just on a lower level of play. Kinda like having a varsity tourament and a junior high tournament. Okay, maybe not that bad.

Any predictions in the east? I'm thinking a Miami/Detroit matchup would be a pretty good series. The biggest thing Miami has going for them (besides Wade) is the overall confidence they have. Helps them play well. Teams like the Lakers and the Cavs could use a good shot of that.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

Actually, it might be exciting in the east, too. Just on a lower level of play. Kinda like having a varsity tourament and a junior high tournament. Okay, maybe not that bad.

No, it pretty much is. I can't think of a single team in the east that'd resonably be expected to compete out West. Maybe Miami, Detroit, or Cleveland could pull off a 7th or 8th seed, but there's no way they'd hang with that Phoenix/Dallas/Utah/San Antonio upper level. If someone from out East wins it again it will be because the Western teams wore each other out. I can't wait for the Western Conference playoffs, it should be some great basketball.

[svosen]

On the whole, the east is obviously of a lower caliber than the west. But I think whoever comes out of the east will take the winner of the west to at least 6 games.

In my mind, it's very similar to an 8th seed giving a 1st seed the full treatment. The better team will ultimately win, but not necessarily without a hard battle.

[farfus]

Mavericks gonna take it this year........ no pussying around this time...

[svosen]

Farf... I thought you went into hibernation in early February each year

The Lakers are on a serious skid. Sucks. Not playing with any urgency or efficiency. Can't really blame it on Walton's injury (or Brown's or Lamar's slow return); they have played through injuries all year, and they had been doing a better job of it. Mostly, it seems to me the "other" players are just sucking it up. Seriously frustrating to start falling apart after such a good start.