The NBA Thread

[Coyboy]

People lost interest as King James isn't in the finals? I really enjoyed game two- Lakers showed they aren't a one man team Kendall, Magic shot much better, Howard was better and obviously it was closer. Loved seeing Jack talk to the Magic players at the end.

 

[Kendall]

I lost interest when 2 of the teams I dislike the most got into the finals :lol:

I've still been following it, but not watching the games.

 

[Dunc2610]

Few years back i used to follow the NY Knicks (we're talking PAtrick Ewing days) are they any cop anymore?

 

[Kendall]

Nope :lol:

 

[Dunc2610]

Nope :lol:

How useless are they? Used to follow the Miami Dolphins too, guess they suck balls too lol!!

 

[Kendall]

Not reached the playoffs since 04 and I remember one game last season the Celtics handed them their arse with a 109-54 (I think) defeat :lol:

They are easily in the worst period of their history

 

[Dunc2610]

Not reached the playoffs since 04 and I remember one game last season the Celtics handed them their arse with a 109-54 (I think) defeat :lol:

They are easily in the worst period of their history

Awesomeness.....should i venture to NY next year i shan't bother trying to see them play!! Are the equivelant NY hockey team any good lol!!

 

[MrWoolley]

I expect Lakers to wrap this up in the next game. What a disapointing final series :-(

 

[tobi]

I've enjoyed it so far, its definately not as big as last years finals though.

 

[Coyboy]

I've enjoyed it, all games but for the first have been close and Orlando have slowly come back into it passing and shooting better but ultimately losing leads and missing way too many free throws (Howard). The next game is in Orlando so still a chance it could go back to LA-ultimately it comes down to them keeping their nerve, they have come back well already and Van Gundy will get them riled up.

The Lakers will most probably win it either way and from what I have seen it's because of experience more than anything of players like Kobe, Odom, Fisher and of course the coach.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Shaq to Cleveland for a retiring Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. mg:

Cleveland are actually going to have an inside presence that can score. A big man that can defend (crucial considering how they struggled against Dwight Howard) and still has great awareness round the rim. OK, he isn't the Shaq of old, but at times last year he was still dominant and he still averaged 17.8ppg. Now imagine that with Lebron opening space for him and him and also supplying for him.

Regardless of the fact he is getting on it is a great move for Cleveland and for Shaq.

 

[Coyboy]

Definitely, Kobe v Shaq next year?

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

So, the season starts tonight and what an opener. Celts at the Cavs. 7:30pm Eastern Time (11:30pm UK time).

Any predictions for the season?

Personally I think the Lakers are still the team to beat especially if they get Bynum fit consistently. In the West the Spurs are the most likely contenders having added Richie Jefferson and Antonio McDyess. Outside bet Blazers, young team but another year older.

In the East there is the big three teams. Cavs have added Shaq, Parker, Moon. Magic added about half a dozen players including Vince Carter. Celts have everyone fit again plus Sheed. I personally cant wait to see how all those work out but I am going to go for the Cavs.

Worst teams? Kings in the West. Knicks (at least just for this year before they clear all their cap space and make a run at every free angent possible including LeBrone, Wade, Bosh etc) in the East.

 

[Kendall]

If the Celtics can keep Garnett fit they will win it again in my opinion. I think the Cs are a better allround team than the Lakers.

The Cavs will be up there again, but I don't think they're as strong as the Cs.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

If the Celtics can keep Garnett fit they will win it again in my opinion. I think the Cs are a better allround team than the Lakers.

The Cavs will be up there again, but I don't think they're as strong as the Cs.

Celtics were impressive last night. I watched up until the half and they were clearly a much better unit at this stage than the Cavs. The good thing for the Celtics was when Garnett was on the bench Sheed came on and filled the hole very well.

They kept sucking the Cavs in and then switching it out to the wings where they were knocking shots down almost undefended.

The Cavs are clearly a work in progress at this stage. It didn't look like they quite had figured out how to put all the pieces together but I'm sure they will get better and it doesn't really matter until the post-season too much anyway.

 

[Kendall]

How was Shaq?

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

How was Shaq?

Um he did alright what I saw. He was a presence in the paint, but the Cavs didn't play well off him at all. It looked like they hadn't quite worked out how to use him to make space for others and instead were pulling up short and shooting mid range jumpers. Oh and when I read this morning it said he only scored 2 in the 2nd half of the game. LeBron got 38.

C's on the other hand were playing it around nicely and working into spaces or overmatching the opposition before shooting. I think when I decided to go to bed they had 8 of 10 on 3's and most of them were unchallenged. They had a good spread on the scoring too. You might be right, they could be the team to beat.

 

[Kendall]

Stayed up to watch the Cs beat Miami last night.

I was particularly impressed with Michael Beasley for Miami and I thought Miami would go on to win it at the half way point in the 4th quarter, as the Cs bench looked pretty poor and Ray Allen couldn't hit anything.

But once Rondo and Garnett came back on the Cs pulled away and made it look easy. Rondo is fast becoming a top player in the NBA, his speed is unreal and he scored some awesome points in the 4th.

Cs going well after a bit of a stumble. Think it's going to be much tighter this year with the Magic and Atlanta going well.

 

[tobi]

I'm loving the Suns start to the season, yes we can't play defence but what the hell, its great to watch.

 

[Kendall]

The Magic lose to the Jazz while the C's extend their streak to 9 wins and return to the top of the East!

There is definitely a case (again) that the West are stronger than the East overall. Though as I said at the start of the season, if the Celtics can keep KG fit, they will be strong contenders for the Championship.

Rondo is on fire at the minute as well.