NBA playoffs, anyone?

[metal134]

Any basketball fans here? Who's your team? I'm hoping to see my Cavaliers reach the finals this year. They start against the Wizards this afternoon. I'll probably be watching the Cavaliers game while listening to the Indians on the radio... I'm pathetic, lol! (hopefully, Jake Westbrook can get his freaking act together.) I think that, even if they make it out of the East, they will get CRUSHED in the Finals. Even the EC Finals will be no cake walk. If they make it there, they would lend up against the Pistons , Heat or Bulls. Those teams are all scary. Dteriot and Miami are battle tested and the Bulls are just a flat out dangerous team. It should be a very entertaning playoffs this year in both conferences.

[Koa]

Oooh I used to love basketball... but I never was into NBA. Actually I stopped following European basketball when they made the rules more similar to NBA... good old times... :(

Sorry, it was a nostalgic post that contributes nothing to the topic :lol:

[kilted exile]

I have got a lot more into watching the NBA this year. Colangelo has performed miracles with the Raptors and the series against a certain wince and his Nets is just too entertaining to miss. Unfortunately Bosh had foul trouble early, but I still think we'll beat them which should set up another interesting round against the Cavs & a certain LeBron.

[metal134]

Up 1-0 on the Wiz, no surprise there. They have no chance without Butler and Arenas. This will be an easy series for Cleveland.
My Indians won today, too, on the strength of a Ryan Garko 3-run homer, so all-in-all, it was a pretty good day!

[crisaor]

I love the NBA, I root for SA in the West and Chicago in the east, mostly because of the argentinians playing there, although I like to follow all series.

As you said, Cleveland has it very easy, and the Raptors, although being a pleasant surprise this season, will have trouble beating the much more experienced Nets.

[bazarov]

Warriors are not so big surprise, they have beaten Mavericks 3 times these season and Don Nelson surely knows how to handle Nowitzki. If Calderon played more than 10min, who knows what would happen with Nets.

[drunkenKOALA]

I am rooting for the Rockets (I am Taiwanese-Chinese), and the Magics (fan of Grant Hill). I would root for the Timberwolves if they had made it (fan of Kevin Garnett).

KG should ask for a trade. With no disrespect to Duncan and Nowitzki, I think KG is the best power forward in the league. He's basically Duncan, except more agile.

It seems like we have a very tight first round this year, especially in the west. Even though the Warriors swept the Mavs during the regular season, I was still surprised by the upset in game one. And the Nuggets upsetting the Spurs. Even though the Suns beat the Lakers, they came out a little flat, and could've lost. I expect the Jazz to give more trouble for the Rockets, and I am worried about Tmac's attitude and mental composure. In that series against the Mavs a couple years ago, they surrendered their (3-1?) lead and lost. I think Tmac got too comfortable and lost his focus and desire, and he said something like, "we put a good show for the fans tonight" after a loss as if it was an AND1 streetball exhibition instead of an NBA playoff.

The Pistons and Cavs should have the easiest time in the first round.

[kilted exile]

The problem wasnt calderon's playing time. TJ is deservedly the starter and when he was on the floor on saturday he was playing well so Mitchell kept with him. The real problem was that Bosh sat for so much of the 1st half because he picked up 2 early fouls. I think we also miss Garbajosa, what he does doesnt real show up in the stats but he is the "glue guy" of the team. Another factor was that we didnt react well enough to NJ's zone the ball was getting fed out but Parker (who has been fantastic this year) was cold.

[crisaor]

I am worried about Tmac's attitude and mental composure. In that series against the Mavs a couple years ago, they surrendered their (3-1?) lead and lost. I think Tmac got too comfortable and lost his focus and desire, and he said something like, "we put a good show for the fans tonight" after a loss as if it was an AND1 streetball exhibition instead of an NBA playoff.
Well, T-Mac has quite a history of not reaching the next plateau in playoffs, he has won 0 playoffs series in his entire career! Utterly dreadful for a superstar. However, I think he's a great player and I expect the Rockets to beat Utah, so maybe he'll finally rid himself of that atrocious record.

I was sorry about Garbs, his injury was really serious, I really hope he can return in full health in the future. On Toronto's PGs, I like Calderón best, I believe he's more efficient at it. TJ Ford shoots way too much and is a bit turnover prone for my taste.

[metal134]

I think that the biggest potential for an first round upset is Denver over the Spurs. I think the Spurs will ultimatley pull it out, but Denver has a chance to take this series.

[kilted exile]

Ok, as usual I am on here whist watching sport (Raps v NJ & Jays v BoSox). Anyone know if both teams shooting under 30% at the end of the 1st Q is a record?


Edit: Get out the salami & cheese mama! Raptors win, raptors win, RAPTORS WIN! (for those of you thinking I have finally lost the rest of my marbles that is what the Raptors commentator says after every game the Raps win)