'07-'08 NBA Playoffs

[Hippos II]

Originally Posted by Twobit Whore

Nash gets the blame and I'm sure he will take it.

He just took it. Anyways, disappointing series I guess as I had them winning the whole thing. My only real things to cheer for now besides the BOS/LAL final are an Atlanta ultra upset and Houston advancing.

[Pharazon]

Quite a bummer. Could have been a classic series if Phoenix had found a way to win any of the close games. I think the Spurs winning game 1 the way they did must have carried over to the other games in the Suns minds. They had them beaten so many times n that game and the Spurs just showed why they were the champs. After that its like Phoenix didn't believe they could win the close ones. They absolutely folded down the stretch tonight, free throw shooting aside.

Still, it was impressive that they were in every game in San Antonio.

Now we're really going to see what New Orleans is made of.

[kcxiv]

So, i was reading a Lakers forum. They were talking about how the GM of the Lakers (Mitch Kupcek) destroyed Pheonix and Dallas in their current form. The 2 other teams panic'ed when the Lakers traded for Gasol. Lakers got better while the 2 other teams traded away young talent and got worse and stuck with 35 year old max contract players.

[foddon]

Yeah, that's about right. The Kidd trade was just awful. Not only did their team get worse, but they gave away TWO first round draft picks!!!!!!!

[Akileese]

D'antoni's out.
Jack McCallum: D'Antoni's tenure in Phoenix over - Jack McCallum - SI.com

I'm assuming Avery Johnson is next.

[Twobit Whore]

Originally Posted by kcxiv

So, i was reading a Lakers forum. They were talking about how the GM of the Lakers (Mitch Kupcek) destroyed Pheonix and Dallas in their current form. The 2 other teams panic'ed when the Lakers traded for Gasol. Lakers got better while the 2 other teams traded away young talent and got worse and stuck with 35 year old max contract players.

Phoenix and Dallas weren't going anywhere this year anyway. They should have just accepted this fact, traded to get younger and reload for next year or two. They just wanted to win now and got desperate.

NO-SA series will be interesting but I like our odds. 2-2 with 2 close losses and 2 wins by 25 points each.

[Juvarisx]

Originally Posted by Akileese

D'antoni's out.
Jack McCallum: D'Antoni's tenure in Phoenix over - Jack McCallum - SI.com

I'm assuming Avery Johnson is next.

Look for him to be signed by the Toronto Raptors in the offseason. D'Antoni i mean ofc

[Akileese]

Yeah it seems logical. They' play the same style as Phoenix.

[Kugbok_Fennin]

So what are everyones thoughts on Stern not doing anything about the Game 4 fiasco between Boston and Atlanta.

KG throws and elbow, shoves a ref, nothing happens.

Amare, and Diaw step on the court in a playoff game and are suspended.

David Stern has the ref's in his pocket? It's clear he would prefer to have whoever is playing Boston just forfeit the entire series all the way to the Finals.

[Twobit Whore]

As long as it's consistent going forward I am fine with it. I think the backlash of last years suspension made him reconsider the spirit of the rule vs. the letter. It's not as black and white as it is written and I think most would agree. If he had it to do over I don't think he would have suspended them. If we see a suspension for the same severity (of lack of) but involving two lesser teams then I think the conspiracy theorists have a case. As of now I will happily assume he learned from his playoff changing mistake last year.

[Kugbok_Fennin]

But its not like Garnett's actions were very minor.

Intentional Elbow + Ref stomp (should) = Flagrant 2.

For 22+ mil a year, I could learn to control my emotions on the court. It's not like the hardwood is a war zone where you are constantly being jumped from behind.

Don't get me wrong I want to see the Lakers WTFPWN Boston in the Finals, but I want Boston to get there by outplaying every team, not getting hook-ups from upstairs.

[Banal]

Originally Posted by Twobit Whore

Phoenix and Dallas weren't going anywhere this year anyway. They should have just accepted this fact, traded to get younger and reload for next year or two. They just wanted to win now and got desperate.

NO-SA series will be interesting but I like our odds. 2-2 with 2 close losses and 2 wins by 25 points each.

Spurs are old and don't play until the playoffs (especially Manu). I wouldn't put too much stock in regular season results. The Parker-Paul matchup is outstanding though and should be quite entertaining.

As far as Phoenix, I think the trade was stupid because it didn't really address the Suns' shortcomings on perimeter defense. You trade away an elite defender in Marion to get an aging, never particularly mobile Shaq? Uhh, the Spurs pick and roll punishes Shaq's weaknesses.

The Spurs' series the last few years have also highlighted just how weak Nash's defense really is. Parker destroys Nash. (Nash never should have won MVP given how ineffective he is for half the game.) Who did Suns' management expect to make up that defense, Bell? Barbosa? Marion was their only decent perimeter defender and they traded him away.

[Sunder]

ESPN - Source: Mavs and Johnson part ways after team's playoff ouster - NBA

And the other shoe does drop.

[Kugbok_Fennin]

Originally Posted by Sunder

ESPN - Source: Mavs and Johnson part ways after team's playoff ouster - NBA

And the other shoe does drop.

So D'Antoni will go to Dallas, and AJ will be headed to Toronto, NY, or Chi-town?

Phoenix to hire Pat Riley as new Head Coach? HAHA

[Akileese]

This doesn't surprise ANYONE though. Johnson has been on the outs all year. D'Antoni basically got fired because Tim Duncan made a miracle 3. He got fired above all because he lost that series. True it's likely he would of resigned, but yeah.

Now ESPN is reporting that the D'Antoni departure is a lie. Seems like somebody leaked it early. I say he's gone.