The Basketball Thread

[Twenty26Six]

This is the best NBA season in a long time, and this Spurs win helped soften the hurt that was todays defeat.

Very true. I'm not a huge follower of the NBA regular season. I just don't have the time. But, it's been a long time since I've never been this amped to catch playoff games.

[el-capitano]

I know its not playoff related but.....

Bogut poised to make big Bucks in NBA (http://news.smh.com.au/bogut-poised-to-make-big-bucks-in-nba/20080424-28cn.html)

Andrew Bogut is poised to sign a contract extension with NBA club Milwaukee that will take his salary into the stratosphere before he joins up with the Australian team for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Bogut, 23, has steadily improved in each of his three seasons in the NBA and the No.1 pick from the 2005 draft is about to reap the rewards.

His 14.3 points, 9.8 boards and 1.7 blocks per game last season silenced critics who didn't rate him a worthy No.1 pick and put him firmly among the best young centres in the NBA.

Bogut is a leading candidate for the NBA's most improved player award.

The Victorian is set to make $US6.3 million ($A6.65 million) next season, but is eligible to sign a contract extension for a further five years that will likely be in the region of $US60-$US75 million ($A63-$A79 million).

The Bucks are planning to rebuild around Bogut and his new deal should place him among the top 50 earners in the league.

[Twenty26Six]

Surprise. That article is from an aussie news source. ;)

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

All I know is there have been many great performers in the playoffs already, but Chris Paul has been absolutely awesome in the first two games.

In the first game he had 35 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds

In the second game he had 32 points, 17 assists, 5 rebounds

And people thought the Mavericks were going to upset the Hornets PFFFFT

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Wow what happened to Lebron tonight? Terrible performance by the Cavs all around.

I watched part of the Jazz-Rockets game, didn't think the Rockets would go to Utah and win, but hey its the magic of the playoffs.

I missed part of the game because I was drinking with some friends, I mean studying for Finals. :D

[catenaccio_L'pool]

Just finished watching my Pistons - I am completely confused - I know we are getting old - everyone knows that but to be outplayed like this by the Sixers is mind-boggling...the third quarter meltdown as we missed 16 straight FGs.
Suns are as good as out...0-3.

[Twenty26Six]

It is shocking stuff from the Pistons.

I've always been a fan, but they're getting worked right now.

[Springbok FC]

Okay, I just have to rant about this: JAZZ FANS ARE HORRIBLE PEOPLE! Really. Truly. The more and more I think about it, the more they are the antithesis of Liverpool fans.

Jazz fans not horrible fans, mind you, but horrible people. Seriously, how do they justify booing Derek Fisher mercilessly when he rolls into town with the Lakers? He's a class act who gave you everything, Utah, and he didn't leave for money or the chance to be reunited with Kobe and Phil Jackson. No, he left because his daughter has CANCER OF THE FREAKING EYE and she needed proper doctors and facilities to help treat her condition. So because Salt Lake doesn't offer that and Los Angeles does, all of a sudden Fisher is a monster? F*CK YOU! For the longest time, you've held the mantle of most classless fans in the league and you've done nothing to deter that notion, especially lately. Nevermind the racial bias, nevermind Larry Miller, nevermind championing a creton like Karl Malone, it's all about the pure ignorance that comes with living in the state of Utah and sticking to your guns of not being an NBA fan, but being a Jazz fan and only a Jazz fan.

Miserable, miserable people. Lakers are winning this series in six games and D-Fish will be dropping 20 in Salt Lake when they clinch it. Pathetic people.


Shifting gears (and a couple days late, I realize, but I work my balls off so save it), Kobe finally got his MVP. The best player in the league having the best season of his career... Makes it hard for even the staunchest Chris Paul supporter to argue. And I love Chris Paul.

[Springbok FC]

Springbok, I am guessing this is your favorite laker player of all time right?

http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2007/04/06/kurt_rambis_ass_sorcerer.jpg

RAMBIS!!!

Had to love the way he played! Hard-nosed all the way. :cool:

Also, what??

[Springbok FC]

Because the number of Saffies in the NBA is amazing :D

Bogut's getting better with every year, looking at his stats.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrew_bogut/career_stats.html

He's the best we've had since Luc Longley! :o

It's got nothing to do with nationality, my friend. :) I'm just saying he's done nothing to justify being the #1 overall choice in a loaded draft class.

As for Saffies... Well, there is that Steve Nash guy. But he went Canadian, so, you know, nobody's perfect.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Okay, I just have to rant about this: JAZZ FANS ARE HORRIBLE PEOPLE! Really. Truly. The more and more I think about it, the more they are the antithesis of Liverpool fans.

Jazz fans not horrible fans, mind you, but horrible people. Seriously, how do they justify booing Derek Fisher mercilessly when he rolls into town with the Lakers? He's a class act who gave you everything, Utah, and he didn't leave for money or the chance to be reunited with Kobe and Phil Jackson. No, he left because his daughter has CANCER OF THE FREAKING EYE and she needed proper doctors and facilities to help treat her condition. So because Salt Lake doesn't offer that and Los Angeles does, all of a sudden Fisher is a monster? F*CK YOU! For the longest time, you've held the mantle of most classless fans in the league and you've done nothing to deter that notion, especially lately. Nevermind the racial bias, nevermind Larry Miller, nevermind championing a creton like Karl Malone, it's all about the pure ignorance that comes with living in the state of Utah and sticking to your guns of not being an NBA fan, but being a Jazz fan and only a Jazz fan.

Miserable, miserable people. Lakers are winning this series in six games and D-Fish will be dropping 20 in Salt Lake when they clinch it. Pathetic people.


Shifting gears (and a couple days late, I realize, but I work my balls off so save it), Kobe finally got his MVP. The best player in the league having the best season of his career... Makes it hard for even the staunchest Chris Paul supporter to argue. And I love Chris Paul.

Yeah Jazz fans are terrible, that is a worthy rant Springbok. The referees are also pretty bad when they go to Utah, because they just get intimidated by their fans. It's sad that they go to those lengths, but I think Fisher realizes that he has the support of every other team and other fans on his decision. Really he could have gone to LA or New York, I think, LA is better for his family because it is more familiar, and there is also a lot less scrutiny and bad stuff going on with the Lakers than the travesty that was the Knicks.

Kobe deserved the MVP, he has really matured this year and he has had a good statistical season to boot. But how about the Game 3 point guard scoring duel between CP3 and Tony Parker? That was really fun to watch.

I think that it will be Celtics v. Lakers in the Finals. For two reasons. One, they are the two best teams at the moment. Two, the NBA wants it to happen. The only other thing that the NBA could want is for New Orleans to continue their run.

Go Spurs! We are so old, eventually this team is going to have to be changed up.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

My friends and I couldn't get over this comparison

Stan Van Gundy and Ron Jeremy :D

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1029/nba_a_vangundy_580.jpg

http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/ron-jeremy-2004-wb-winter-press-tour-party-KnYZif.jpg

[Springbok FC]

Yeah Jazz fans are terrible, that is a worthy rant Springbok. The referees are also pretty bad when they go to Utah, because they just get intimidated by their fans. It's sad that they go to those lengths, but I think Fisher realizes that he has the support of every other team and other fans on his decision. Really he could have gone to LA or New York, I think, LA is better for his family because it is more familiar, and there is also a lot less scrutiny and bad stuff going on with the Lakers than the travesty that was the Knicks.

Kobe deserved the MVP, he has really matured this year and he has had a good statistical season to boot. But how about the Game 3 point guard scoring duel between CP3 and Tony Parker? That was really fun to watch.

I think that it will be Celtics v. Lakers in the Finals. For two reasons. One, they are the two best teams at the moment. Two, the NBA wants it to happen. The only other thing that the NBA could want is for New Orleans to continue their run.

Go Spurs! We are so old, eventually this team is going to have to be changed up.

Ugh... Jazz fans... Killing me.

Bang on about the Hornets/Spurs game 3! Yowza, that was exciting to watch. Game 5 tonight.

I had also predicted a Lakers-Boston final, but after seeing the Celtics lately, I wonder if they have the heart to win on the road or if they remember how exactly it is that they cam to be the best team in the regular season. Let's face it, Atlanta was not a good team and they managed to push 7 games. Cleveland isn't exactly electric and LeBron is shooting horribly in this round, yet it's 2-2. Celts better get it together. They need to start figuring out how to get easy shots, rather than settle for jumpers. Also, KG has to stop with this 4th quarter disappearing act.

[Springbok FC]

My friends and I couldn't get over this comparison

Stan Van Gundy and Ron Jeremy :D

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1029/nba_a_vangundy_580.jpg

http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/ron-jeremy-2004-wb-winter-press-tour-party-KnYZif.jpg

Haha! Can't believe this is the first time I've ever seen that comparison. Too true.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Bah! Three times my Spurs have led in New Orleans at halftime, and three times they have come out and squandered their lead and gotten blown out.

It's very confusing for me. At one time, the Spurs are showing their age and yet at another time they aren't.

For starters, the Spurs are showing their age by their inability to keep up with the younger, more athletic Hornets squad, which is especially evident in the second half of any away game this series. Secondly, the Spurs definitely look rattled and inexperienced, especially when New Orleans started to make a run during the second halves of their home games. They are veterans and should know how to deal with shooting slumps and rowdy crowds.

On that note, kudos to the New Orleans team, fans, and organization. Class in a glass, and if the Spurs end up losing in Game 6 or 7, I will be disappointed but not nearly as much if they would have been beaten by classless organization. The fans are crazy and intimidating but fun and classy. I am looking forward to Game 6 and hopefully a Game 7.

Definitely will be watching Lakers v. Jazz tonight, I get off coaching at 9 central time, so I will have a half hour to get my feet up and park myself on a recliner or couch somewhere with a brew in hand. :D

[Boundzy]

I expected the experience of the Spurs to give them an edge in Game 5, but I was wrong, obviously. I'm not a big NBA fan, but I've been following the Hornets this season and hope they take out the Spurs in Game 6. However, I think it will go to a Game 7.

This run in the playoffs have been very good for the franchise. It hasn't been that long since most assumed that we'd see the Oklahoma City Hornets (or some such variety) next year. The Hornets are not a lock to make it in the Big Easy over the long term, but the fan base has increased since the All-Star Game and most are bullish on their short-term prospects.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I expected the experience of the Spurs to give them an edge in Game 5, but I was wrong, obviously. I'm not a big NBA fan, but I've been following the Hornets this season and hope they take out the Spurs in Game 6. However, I think it will go to a Game 7.

This run in the playoffs have been very good for the franchise. It hasn't been that long since most assumed that we'd see the Oklahoma City Hornets (or some such variety) next year. The Hornets are not a lock to make it in the Big Easy over the long term, but the fan base has increased since the All-Star Game and most are bullish on their short-term prospects.

I think they should stay, CP3 is a character guy who can lead the franchise on and off the court, like I said earlier that franchise is class in a glass.

[Twenty26Six]

Celtics v. Cavs, Game 7, in ~30 minutes.

I want to see the Celtcs face the Pistons.

[Ghostface]

Celtics v. Cavs, Game 7, in ~30 minutes.

I want to see the Celtcs face the Pistons.

Ask and you shall receive...

I don't really follow basketball too much anymore, it's just too much work and I find it boring to be honest, but I'm hoping for a Pistons/Lakers finals rematch from a couple years back. Could be a promising series. Anything but another Spurs final and I'm happy. :p

[Twenty26Six]

Ask and you shall receive...

I don't really follow basketball too much anymore, it's just too much work and I find it boring to be honest, but I'm hoping for a Pistons/Lakers finals rematch from a couple years back. Could be a promising series. Anything but another Spurs final and I'm happy. :p

I'm happy with the Eastern Finals. And, the West will be fantastic no matter what happens tomorrow night. I really want to see Lakers v. Spurs though.