'07-'08 NBA Playoffs

[Burf]

The Lakers knew there was a game tonight, right? Somebody told them there was a basketball game they were supposed to play?

[Cadrid]

Pierce definitely earned the MVP award, but for Game 6 alone it is a split between KG (Allen who?) and Rondo (o hai, i haerd u liek stolen balls~). I was looking forward to a close game until the end, but the way the Celtics obliterated Kobe was very satisfying. Even the uncalled eye-gouge that Allen was subject to can be put to rest knowing that the pompous Bryant and Jackson were shut down for another season.

I'm not typically a basketball fan, but this season has been incredibly enjoyable from a Boston sports fan's point of view. Now if we could only get another Sox World Championship and a Patriots Super Bowl win.

...Undefeated season be damned.

[Burf]

Listen to you...."Now if we could only get another Sox World Championship and a Patriots Super Bowl win."

I grew up in Tampa. Fuck you, Cadrid.....right in your ear. I mean that in the nicest way possible, mind you.

[Speedteeth_DRo]

=)

[Moontayle]

Isn't that a first? Worst team in the league one year, Champions the next?

[Bizanich]

This will sound borderline gay, but watching the honest joy and celebration of KG and the rest, with KG asking the older players if they made them proud....man, that was refreshing .

It honestly felt like a team of good guys who played as a team won.

Also, lol at L.A.

[Ham n Cheese]

I was actually annoyed at the way KG was acting. To each his own

[Twobit Whore]

Originally Posted by Ham n Cheese

I was actually annoyed at the way KG was acting. To each his own

I thought he was on crack. He seemed to be delirious.

Ray Allen was the epitome of class though and Pierce was a little cocky but he earned it.

[gurgi]

Lol, I can't imagine how fucking pumped I'd be if I just won an NBA championship. He was acting crazy, but he gets a free pass from me.

[Fungul]

I am a diehard Lakers fan but I will say the better team won. The Celtics dominated in every aspect of the game. I'm extremely excited for next season because Bynum is coming back, Gasol for a whole year, and I know Kupchak will bring in the right ingredients.

The first thing I'd do this off season is do everything possible to drop Radmanovic and Odom. Radmanovic had no business on the court 95% of the time. He showed no heart, no mental toughness, and a complete lack of awareness that he is playing in the NBA finals. As for Odom he needs to be traded for a defender and/or rebounder. His offense is inconsistent and when matched up against big bodies his rebounding turns to shit. Like the Bulls getting Dennis Rodman in the 90's I think the Lakers should go after Ron Artest. Could you imagine the lineup Bynum - Gasol - Artest - Bryant - Fisher? It's nasty.

As for Kobe I'm going to say a couple good things. First off, he is the best player in the league and he will win another ring. Lebron will have his time, but now Kobe is the best. His basketball IQ, athletic abilities, and drive are unmatched. It's unfortunate he got punked in the Finals against one of the best defensive teams in the last decade. But I think it's stupid to compare him or any player to Jordan for a couple reasons.

1. Kobe is playing in a far superior league talent wise. The international talent is amazing now. Ironically this can be traced back to the original Dream Team and how much of an impact they had.
2. More money is involved in the league which makes it that much more competitive.
3. The rules have changed. Has everyone forgotten zone defense wasn't allowed when Jordan played? I’m not even going to say Jordan couldn't handle a zone defense but Boston used that on Kobe.
4. People get so hot and cold about Kobe because of the incident in CO. Are you kidding me? Do you know how many professional athletes do this? All you have to do is type “Jordan Adultery” in Google and you’ll see he wasn’t squeaky clean.

I will say it’s impossible to argue the facts. Every time Jordan went to the finals he won and was the MVP. He imposed a will on every team that got in his way. His mystique will never be matched. Can you imagine the amount of pressure Kobe has from the media and puts on himself to match Jordan? I think he should be respected at the very least regardless if you like his attitude or not.

Anyways there were several what ifs this series. What if Kobe shoots instead of Vujacic at the end of game 2? Seriously what the fuck was that? What if they hold on to the lead in Game 4? What if Paul Pierce never goes down in Game 1? It’s hard to justify a momentum swing of an entire series in the 1st game but that was pretty damn close.

[Akileese]

I will say one thing and one thing only on the Jordan/Kobe argument. Jordan played in an era where defenders where able to pretty much abuse opposing players (hand check rules much?) and he was able to do what he did. I think that right there makes the argument moot. Ok, enough about this.

The Lakers have a great shot next year but a lot of it is kind of up in the air. Bynum has to be healthy. The rest of the west is going to reload and make themselves better. Portland instantly becomes better with Lamar Odom and they were pretty good at times last year. I think they'll be very good with a real inside presence.

Kobe needs to find a way to beat the Shane Battier type defender (bigger more physical defenders who have a long enough reach to contest his shot). They really give him fits as you saw all series. The real reason he went off on the first quarter? Ray Allen was guarding him. For the rest of the game Pierce or Posey was on him and whenever they were guarding him, he looked really uncomfortable.

The Lakers need to get some type of defensive presence. Tim Legler suggested replacing Odom with Artest and I really don't think that's a bad idea. Artest can score, he's a brutally tough defender, and he's fucking crazy. I think the Lakers need that.

As for Boston. Their core is set for pretty much 2 more years. They're aging as it is and it's only going to get worse. Normally I would think that a team of aging veterans would be content winning a title, but Pierce and KG are so super competitive that they probably won't settle. I'd like to see them retain Posey and House as backups. Obviously you have Powe and Perkins. Cassell will probably retire and he'll be a coach within 3-4 years after doing some TV work. They're in a really good place to make a run for three finals appearances. The Pistons seem like they're trying to rebuild/reload, the Cavs are well, the Cavs. The Hawks are going to keep improving as will the Magic, but that's the East in a nutshell. It's a 4 team conference as opposed to the West where one game can mean the difference between 1st and 4th. Boston definitely has an easier road.

Right now I'm just enjoying the moment and not racking my brain too hard on how the Celtics are gonna run for #18. I'm debating whether or not to go to work or drive a few hours to see the parade and I'm leaning towards the latter. It'll be a fun day.

[Mkopec1]

Originally Posted by Akileese

The Lakers need to get some type of defensive presence.

Yeah It just shows you cannot win a championship in todays NBA without a Defensive persence as well as a good offense. Just look at the teams which won in the past 4-5 yrs and you will see pretty much all of them were defensive minded teams with great offense.

I was actually shocked that the Spurs didnt get in the finals again this year because they are exactly that.

[Adam12]

See, now that the season's over and Boston won, Akileese is back to making some points again. You gotta get over your blind rage during the games!

Anyway, I think Kobe needs another reliable scorer and defender. Artest is a good suggestion. Michael, Scottie and Phil were able to mostly keep Rodman in check, maybe Kobe and Phil could keep Artest somewhat functional. You're right, if the finals proved anything, it's that the Lakers lack the toughness to compete with Boston, and I have a feeling that we're going to see another Celtics/Lakers Final before this current run is up.

[Fungul]

I was actually shocked that the Spurs didnt get in the finals again this year because they are exactly that.

Ginobli is what makes the Spurs work on numerous levels. He was hurt during the LA series and it showed. I still believe the Lakers were the better team but they had an easy ride that hurt them. If they play a Spurs team with a healthy Ginobli the series goes 7 games. They will also be more prepared for the tough Celtics ahead.

The Lakers need to get some type of defensive presence. Tim Legler suggested replacing Odom with Artest and I really don't think that's a bad idea. Artest can score, he's a brutally tough defender, and he's fucking crazy. I think the Lakers need that.

This is going to be really hard to do because of contracts. Odom is making a ridiculous amount of money (14 million) while Artest makes less (9 million). If he doesn't opt out of his contract the Kings will use him as trade bait. He's not really a player you build your team around. I'd love for him to join the Lakers. He would be nothing but a benefit. His attitude problems will not be a problem under Phil and Kobe.

The Lakers team salary is 76 million, 6th in the league. Dropping Lamars contract has to be a number one priority. He is signed through 2010 and the Lakers have to resign Bynum next season. If they could drop Lamar and Radmanovic (6 million) that frees up a good chunk of change.

I truely believe in Kupchak after this season. Jerry West must have taught him well because he's done a fantastic job. The Lakers are incredibly young and have the potential to be a 70+ win team in the next couple years. He will find the right players to make it all work.

[Ham n Cheese]

I'm not a Lakers fan, mr. giver of bad internets!