2006 / 2007 NBA Thread

[svosen]

That was funny - been gone for a bit now, so reading through Cowboy's posts over the past week... you've been on an emotional rollercoaster

I've been meaning to get on and talk up Derek Fischer some more. I remember at the beginning of the year, I was telling you to keep an eye on him. I always really liked him, mostly for his personality.

Back in Game 5 of the Spurs/Lakers series in 2004, after Duncan hit that disgustingly lucky "game-winning" shot with 0.4 seconds left, I remember telling my brother, "man, I hope Phil draws up something for Fischer." Phil didn't draw it up for Fish, but I'm sure you all recall the end result: "The Fish that saved L.A." Of all the players on the great LA teams of the early 2000s, Fisher is the one I was saddest to see go.

I love seeing a truly good guy do well. Sure hope his family's okay, too.

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So tonight's SA/PHO again. Should be a hard-fought game. I can't believe Bowen didn't get more than a slap on the wrist. For anyone who thinks he isn't dirty... well, that's just naive. There's definitely a difference between scrappy and dirty. Bowen's dirty. I think it's total BS that they called things so much tighter during the season, only to let truly intentional, deliberate, designed-to-harm fouls go unpunished in the playoffs.

I didn't see the replays of B. Davis' shot to Fish, but if it was intentional, then he should sit. Period. None of this crap about, "it's the playoffs - we can't be decided the outcome of the series by making players sit." There has to be repercussions for bad actions. The blame for the suspension, if truly justified, should sit squarely on the player. After all, if a player makes another type of bad play (e.g. throwing the ball to a fan in the third row instead of to a team mate), that's the player's fault. Same thing should go for a bad play such as throwing an elbow or a knee: player's fault.

So anyhow, now I'm pushing for Utah out of the west. And I guess I don't care too much who comes out of the east. Although I'd like to see Jason Kidd do well. He's an awesome talent that got wasted over the years. Sad to see...

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

That was funny - been gone for a bit now, so reading through Cowboy's posts over the past week... you've been on an emotional rollercoaster

Like I said, the playoffs are going to kill me.

Yeah, I've never thought much of Fisher as a player (though he's had a fantastic series against GS), but he's a classy guy. My problem with him has always been that I think he's badly overrated because he was on those Lakers teams. That's not really his fault either.

Yeah, Bowen's a douche. Far and away the dirtiest player in basketball. In addition to the stuff that's been getting pub lately, I hate how he always kicks his legs out under guys going up for a jumper, in hopes that they'll land on his ankle and trip or get hurt on the way down. Watch him carefully some time, he does it constantly. Taking little shortcuts here and there is one thing, I don't really have a problem with that. If a player can get away with it, good for him. Going out of your way to try to hurt an opponent is another. I'm stunned he wasn't suspended for his latest cheap shot on Nash, and even more stunned that an opponent hasn't just lost his cool and punched him yet.

Not looking like much of a game so far, San Antonio seems to have things under control. I haven't been able to watch because I've been studying for a Final tomorrow, and I'm headed for bed, so I'll have to wait and see what happened tomorrow.

Saw that the Cavs won earlier and that LeBron had a good game. I haven't been paying much attention to the East so far, but I'm glad to see that. Hopefully they'll finish the Nets off in the next game.

[Cowboy22]

Western Conference Finals! Never would have expected that going into the playoffs, but man am I excitied. Sure they'll likely get killed by the Spurs there (go Suns), but still, I'd think it's safe to say that Utah is offically back. That was an easy win last night, even though they didn't play anywhere near their best basketball. Deron Williams in particular was awful, but the whole team seemed off and turned the ball over like crazy. That's something that needs to be fixed before the next round, because it's not going to fly there. They were lucky that the Warriors more or less fell apart down the stretch with all the dumb technicals and flagrents (although even I'll say that the T against Barnes was an absolute joke of a call). The real key to the game for the Jazz, though, was Kirilenko, who's been absolute money in the playoffs and continued tonight with 21 points, 15 boards, and great defense on Jackson. Forget what I said earlier about trading him, he should never ever leave. With him playing at this level, this is a dangerous team. They've got four legit stars in the starting lineup, a red hot Fisher, and a solid bench with Harpring, Millsap, and Brown (the latter two who were also big in last night's game). I love this team so much, I haven't been this excited about the NBA since '98.

Edit: Oh and by the way, **** the suspensions for Amare and Diaw, what a bunch of crap. Bowen can knee and kick people and get nothing, but they get up off the bench and do NOTHING and get a game? Bullshit. Way to ruin an awesome series NBA. The Suns are screwed without those two, and which really sucks for me, because the Jazz can't beat the Spurs.

[svosen]

Not to mention the Barren Davis shoulder smacking of Fisher (no suspension, even though it was retroactively upgraded to the same "Flagrant II" that Horry's foul was labeled with). Seriously inconsistent.

I will say that the suspensions for Amare and Diaw are consistent with similar incidents in years past. But it's still a load of crap.

I think Kenny & Chuck were right at halftime of tonight's game (Game 5): the Spurs felt guilty about the way it turned out, they spent time thinking about what everyone would say if they win this series (an asterisk similar to their '99 title), and they failed to prepare properly. As a result, they're down by 11 at the half. I suspect they'll get their act together in the second half, but it'll be a close game (SA by 5, I predict).

Suckage.
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Glad that NJ won tonight. Nothing against Cleveland; I just want to see Kid do something before he gets too old (next year, basically)...
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I was impressed with Utah last night. I think they'll do reasonably well with either SA or PHO. I bet they'll make a series of it, whoever they get. One thing to consider: whoever they get will certainly be pooped out. We saw last year that fatigue can be a factor for PHO (vs. Dallas in the conf. finals), and I'm sure it'd matter to the geriatric Spurs.
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How 'bout Chicago?
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How the test go (your final)?How many more after that one?

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

How the test go (your final)?How many more after that one?

Really well, thanks. That was my last one, I had four in all. I stuck around school for another couple days to party and stuff and then drove back home yesterday night.

I agree with eveything you said about the suspension being inconsistent.

Looks like it'll be Detroit/Cleveland and Utah/San Antonio. I do not expect either of those to go the way I would like them to.

[Cowboy22]

Well, Utah lost, and that sucks, but I was actually encouraged by what I saw. They took the Spurs' best shot, never gave up, and managed to make a game of it late. If Okur and Kirilenko start playing well again, the team plays defense like it's capable of doing, and Boozer plays like he did in the second half for a full game (none of which was unlikely events), they can hang with these guys. Also, holy shit Deron Williams is awesome.

[svosen]

Yeah, Williams put together a heck of a game, didn't he?

I fear you're correct about the outcomes of the remaining two series. I'm starting to get pretty bummed out about the probability of SA winning it.

[Cowboy22]

Ya know, if Utah ever figures out this second quarter thing, they're right in this. Hopefully things get better at home, but they're not winning the series now, San Antonio is too good a team to blow a series lead like this .

How about the lottery results? That's crazy, and why I like the NBA system so much. Even if a team tanks the season, it's not a lock that they'll be rewarded with the top pick. It sucks to be a Celtic's fan right now though, first they miss on Duncan and now this. It's sets up the Blazers nicely for the future though. They had a great draft last year with Roy and Aldridge, Jarret Jack played well at the point, and now they'll add Oden to the mix. That could be a scary team in a few years.

[svosen]

Funny listening to Jerry West gripe and moan. "This is not sour grapes. It is not."

Whatever...

[farfus]

I kinda liked the SA Detroit series two years ago, kinda looking forward to this one, i do give Utah props, and hope they can bring it back if its in them...