NBA Playoffs 2004

The Spurs we able to win the first two games of the series by 10 each time thanks to the Lakers lackluster 4th quarter performances, and a post was made entitled SPANK. Well apparently the Lakers check these forums and wondered how anyone could consider those losses a spanking, so they decided to show today what a real spanking was. 105-81! The Lakers sucked the first two games and got themselves down 2-1 now, but at least it's looking like more of a series now. It doens't look real good for em, but after today you gotta admit if you're a Spurs fan, you're starting to wonder....

The Lakers are still gonna lose the series. Too much inner turmoil and bickering within the team. They just don't play with any passion or act as if they wanna win. The Spurs had a definite off-game. Don't expect that to happen 2 games in a row.

Or you could look at it the other way around. The Lakers had 2 off games, it happens, but it won't happen again. The Spurs had too much inner turmoil and bickering within the team. It just doesnt get as publicized cuz who cares, they're boring. It's all about your point of view. I never said the Lakers will win it, but the first two games just weren't the Lakers, I dont know what that crap was. Today they played like they should have all along. The Spurs could bounce back and blow em outta the series, but just as easily the Lakers could take this series.

Nahh, the Lakers are too inconsistent....the Spurs are a machine....game 3 will be SPurs all the way. And I'm by no means a Spurs fan, mind you.

Haha, well the Spurs are definitely a machine, they had won something like 16 or 17 in a row til today. But the Lakers were a machine earlier this year too. You never know when a maching is gonna start or stop working at full speed. Game 4 is the key, Spurs win and its as good as over, Lakers win and it's gonna get really interesting!

Hehe...I knew you (or someone else) would make a post like this. And if I'd been surprised and didn't find it, I would have made one similar myself. They definitely got their fannies smacked yesterday, no doubt about it. Phil Jackson managed to whip up some real energy from his spoiled-rotten giants. I think the Spurs had gotten too confident and cocky about their ability to beat the Lakers, so this new energy caught them way offguard. Not one time throughout the whole game were they able to fall into their usual rythm.

No doubt about it...the Lakers are a tough team when they put their minds to it. But they won't surprise the Spurs again. The "spanking" was good for them. And when the Spurs are playing at THEIR top game...no team in the NBA can beat them, no matter how good they are.

I expected the spurs to lose the first game in LA i think the will win the game on tuesday then come back to SA and finish the series.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JLC

when the Spurs are playing at THEIR top game...no team in the NBA can beat them, no matter how good they are.

---

You really think so? I think the Spurs at the top of their game are in the top 3 in the NBA, those three in no particular order: Spurs, Lakers, Kings. The Lakers and Kings at the top of their game can easily keep up with and beat the Spurs, and I'd even painfully toss the Mavericks into the mix too, when they're on one of their hot shooting nights they run teams outta the gym even when their defense sucks, of course they'd have to have one of their 60%+ shooting nights, and they can't do that nearly enough to be mentioned the 3 teams above.

I think you are leaving the Pacers out of the top teams discussion.....yeah, they're in the East but they had a 20-11 record against the West in the regular season. They're destroying teams now and I think the Eastern finals are gonna be a good matchup-Pacers vs. Pistons.

Yeah, I'll be honest that I didnt put the Pacers in there, but even though they did well against the West I really don't think they'd fare too well against those top 3 I mentioned. I would favor Detroit on a good defense day.

Yeah I agree that Detroit will give them a good run, and rpobably beat them. It'll be a good series.

I like how we give Miami and New Jersey no chance of gettin past the two! Miami for sure is done for. NJ could get lucky, but i don't think they have it. Just outta sync lately.

Quote:

---

You really think so? I think the Spurs at the top of their game are in the top 3 in the NBA, those three in no particular order: Spurs, Lakers, Kings. The Lakers and Kings at the top of their game can easily keep up with and beat the Spurs...

---

Well, I will admit that my fan-ness makes me a bit prejudice towards the Spurs. :) So some of my talk is just talking big like we all do for our favorite teams. That being said, I really DO think they are the best team in the NBA right now...but am not so avid a fan that I can back up my opinion with statistics or whatnot.

The Lakers and the Kings are both great teams...and if they are at the top of their game on the same day the Spurs are, then it would be an awesome game to watch. I think you're overstating it if you say they could "easily keep up with and beat" the Spurs. It would be a very hard-fought game no matter who won. I still think the Spurs would have a better chance of winning in such a situation though, given how powerful they usually are on defense. But it sure wouldn't be "easy" for any of them.

I guess it may come down to overall team consistency. To see which teams play their top game most often, and when it counts most.

Yeah, I'm with you on the no stats to back it up thing. Stats are lame. By sayin the kings or lakers could easily keep up with and beat the spurs I'm basically sayin the Spurs at their best aren't gonna run away with anything. I agree it would be a great day. Now my Fan-ness comes into play on one more factor. If it stayed close to the end what team is gonna hit the clutch shot. I don't see Parker as the go-to guy in that situation, Duncan is definitely clutch, but what if ya need a 3? Horry's days are behind him i think, Bowen isn't the best option either, Manu has been playin below his potential lately, whats up with him. Then you look at the Kings, and well, lets not go there. Peja is a choke artist, sad for a guy who tears it up all year. Bibby though is a threat, but the only one they have. Now the Lakers I must say would only look to Kobe too, but hey, in all the NBA if I could choose a clutch guy for my team, he'd be the one. Fisher is good for a spot up three, and shaq, well we all know all you have to do is foul him and he's worthless. Rush and George could be good, but thats risky.

Anyways, thats just my thoughts, feel free to point out anything or any players i overlooked.

LOL...dude, Bowen lead the league in 3 point % last year and is one of the top shooters in the league. Hes mainly a defensive player though. Bibby is one of the most clutch players in the game today......but so is Sam Cassell. I used to really like the King but I got tired of them putting up 100 points and letting the other teams put up 110+ lol.....they're soft.....like a pumped up version of the Mavs. They won't get to the finals because they're too soft.....defense wins championships. All of the teams who've went all the way could make a stop if they needed to. The Kings can't stop anyone, they just hope to out-shoot and out-run them.

Bowen may have led the league last year, but thats because of all the open looks he gets when everyone sinks down on Duncan, and you just don't get those same looks when it's clutch time. This year Bowen was 49th in the league shooting 36.3% from Tre Land. I was surprised to hear he led the league last year. Also when I went and checked on it, can you believe Peja was 28th last year! Kobe was 27th, but only by .001%. I still would shy away from Bowen in the clutch, Hedo shot well this year, but he would worry me too. The more I think about it, the more I like Kobe in the clutch, i honestly think his 3pt % in the clutch is probably better than his normal avg, some guys just live for those moments.
I agree with the Kings comments. They play better D than the Mavs, but they still are horrible in that area. weren't the Kings and Mavs the two worst in pts. allowed this year?

do you guys realize how hype the playoffs would be if the kings and lakers had to play? i can feel the energy just thinking about it...


my opinion of the lakers in this tournament is that they are playing like idiots. you can look in every player on the spur's team's eyes and see victory. they want it, the laker's think it's a joke.

The Lakers think they deserve to have it and thats just the wrong way to go about it, no one is gonna give it to em. Games 1 and 2 the Spurs definitely showed they want it and know they have to work to get it. The Lakers decided they'd give that idea a try in game three also! LOL, and yes it would be a big trash talkin series if the Lakers and Kings met in the Conference Finals. I don't think its gonna happen though. If the Lakers are lucky enough to pull their series out then thats about all the luck the playoffs can handle and the kings will lose. Most likely the Spurs will play whoever shows they want it more in the Wolves-Kings series. Anyone else think games 1 and 2 of that series were Fugly?

im a die hard kings fan man. that's the last thing i'm saying in this thread until the end of the playoffs. this stuff makes my skin crawl.

lol, well best of luck to em tonight. I'm smack dab in the middle of Kings mania here in Sacramento.

and pulling for the lakers. how pitiful. ;)

all i have to say is... i am devistated at this moment. it is 2:00am in VA. devistation feels worse than ever at 2am.

Wow, that was incredible. Kings should have had it. Bibby's Technical switched the momentum big time in my opinion. That was the turning point. Crazy fourth quarter.

Did anyone else see the Heat beat the Pacers? How about that Wade dunk on O'Neal? DAMN SON.

Oh man, I didnt really watch the game, but came in when my friends went nuts and caught the replay on that one.

I really like the Heat...I think they are one or 2 good big men away from being a contender in the East.

Oh, if you guys could only hear the sports radio, office chatter, etc... here in Sac today. Kings fans here have this big conspiracy theory that the referees and the league are against them. i admit that Peja's last shot could have gone either way, he initiated the contact, but that gets called at times. But KG also got mugged at the end of regulation with no call. Refs aren't gonna bail players out when they are tryin to force something at the buzzer. The Kings are great, but I'm SOOO tired of hearing these conspiracy theories. Winners find a way, Losers find excuses.

Hey, I renamed this to "NBA Playoffs 2004" since thats what it has become. I missed the second half tonight cuz I had a bball game. Sounds like I missed the best part, as far as a Laker fan would think anyway. The Lakers looked kinda lackluster in the first half. Someone who saw it wanna tell me what the key to the game was? Lakers step up, or did the Spurs just slow down....?

the key to the game was kobe and shaq. nuff' said.

oh yeah, and duncan was choking left and right.

I'm tellin ya, Kobe needs to go to court on every game day. He has had a big game every time he has had to rush from Colorado to a game.

Tonight's Kings vs. TWolves game was a yawner. Anyone disagree? I missed the Pacers vs. Heat game.

not a yawner if you like the kings, my friend. plus there was a lot of tension on the court, you could tell how ticked cassell was... and sprewell is out there kickin' folks. good times...

i also loved the way tonights game reminded me of how webber USED to play.

Yeah, Webber finally stepped up. Oh and I was watchin with 7 Kings fans, hard not to around here, and they all thought it was a yawner too. Tension doesn't equal entertainment. Last game they had, now that was entertaining, cuz people were actually scoring. This one had too many droughts, turnovers, and missed shots. LOL Sprewell kickin folks, tripped one outta frustration, what an idiot, like you're gonna get away with that one after the whistle.

WOW, thats all I can say for that game tonight! pretty ugly game all around. Very similar to the last Sac vs. Minn game. But the ending was ridiculous. I think Shaq summed it up very well "One lucky shot deserves another"

dude i cant believe i missed a buzzer beater. the power went out for some uknown reason, just came back on at 2am... been out since 4pm.

oh man, you missed one heck of a finish, the rest was semi slow, but the last 15 seconds were killer

kings/wolves tonight, 9:30... i'm hype as hiiiizell.

Dude there was no way Devean George was able to get that shot off in 0.4 seconds. But either way the Spurs lost but they put in one heck of an effort in the 4Th quarter but they picked a bad time to get thier game back. The spurs put a protest in with the NBA to review wether the clock was started when it was supposed to. Now the Spurs have got to pick themselves up and play game six like they have never played before. Its hard to beat any team at home but honestly i will be surprized of they are able to get a win in LA. We will see what happens on saturday but things have definitely gotten very interesting.

Devean George definitely couldnt get that shot off in .4 seconds, especially from where he was sitting on the bench! Derek Fisher got it off though. As for the protest, its a well known fact that the clock always starts a touch late. Just watch any game with .4, .5, .6, etc seconds left. How could anyone possibly grab and shoot in that time? You can't but the League has made it a habit to allow it to be done. One official on the court and one timekeeper on the sidelines each have access to starting the clock and they both push their "button" whichever is pushed first gets the clock going. Now how can we actually expect a humans reflexes to work EXACTLY when the ball is touched? It's impossible, they would have to anticipate the player's moves and that would lead to many early clock starts and things would just get ugly. The protest will be denied because this is the way it has always been and until some great technology comes out where a computer can detect when the ball is touched exactly and start the clock, this is the way it will stay. If we were gonna take time off the clock for every late clock start on an inbound etc... Duncan wouldn't have had his shot either cuz I guarantee with all the tenths of a second that are wasted every dead ball before the clock starts they would have to take off many seconds. Spurs are outta luck, everyone in the league knows the clock can't be started perfectly.

San Antonio Heartbreak.....
http://redtailboa.net/modules/PNphpB...es/fisher2.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by QuenteK25

Devean George definitely couldnt get that shot off in .4 seconds, especially from where he was sitting on the bench! Derek Fisher got it off though. As for the protest, its a well known fact that the clock always starts a touch late. Just watch any game with .4, .5, .6, etc seconds left. How could anyone possibly grab and shoot in that time? You can't but the League has made it a habit to allow it to be done. One official on the court and one timekeeper on the sidelines each have access to starting the clock and they both push their "button" whichever is pushed first gets the clock going. Now how can we actually expect a humans reflexes to work EXACTLY when the ball is touched? It's impossible, they would have to anticipate the player's moves and that would lead to many early clock starts and things would just get ugly. The protest will be denied because this is the way it has always been and until some great technology comes out where a computer can detect when the ball is touched exactly and start the clock, this is the way it will stay. If we were gonna take time off the clock for every late clock start on an inbound etc... Duncan wouldn't have had his shot either cuz I guarantee with all the tenths of a second that are wasted every dead ball before the clock starts they would have to take off many seconds. Spurs are outta luck, everyone in the league knows the clock can't be started perfectly.

---

well said... never really thought about it that much, the clock i mean...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LouEvil

The Lakers are still gonna lose the series. Too much inner turmoil and bickering within the team. They just don't play with any passion or act as if they wanna win. The Spurs had a definite off-game. Don't expect that to happen 2 games in a row.

---

david, you lose.

Haha, thanks for the complement on the game clock summary. It's kinda a necessary evil. I think the Spurs know it too, but hey, if you could you'd file a protest too wouldnt ya? I probably would.

and there you have it my friends, holler back spurs.

Man, another ugly game! I haven't really watched any of the Eastern conference games cuz they usually bore me, but man they can't be much worse than the games in the Lakers/Spurs and Kings/Wolves series' have been. Lakers move on, but that series was ugly, other than the last few seconds of game 5 anyway.

Its OK there is always next year. Lets see who the spurs trade off. My guess is that Malik Rose is as good as gone.

Yeah, the few times I saw the Spurs during the regular season, and then of course this series too, he rarely entered the game. Weird after he seemed to be an important part of the team last year.

thatd be a pretty dumb move imo.

as far as the game being ugly, no doubt. total yawner. i spent half of it flipping around the channels. luckily got to see all 5 of shaq's blocks... no, let's call them THROWS ACROSS THE COURT... and did you see that fast break kobe took coast to coast and yoked it on duncan's dome piece? i don't care how many fouls you have, you better jump when you're 7 foot and you see kobe bryant coming to throw one down your throat.