The 2005-2006 NBA Season Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by bishop743

Philly has manned up in their last 2 games. They blew out Chicago in a must-win situation and defeated the Wizards. At this point, it looks like the Sixers will make it in. The Bucks are falling.. fast! So, Chicago will have to hope that Milwaukee keeps losing so they can wind up with that 8th spot.

Yeah, Bucks are fading fast. I hope the Sixers make it. They're still at ninth place right now, and they next two games are against the Nets and the Heat.

They have their work cut out for them.

Originally Posted by bishop743

The seeding format the NBA has right now sucks. Dallas is just a half game back of San Antonio for the best record in the West. Whoever doesn't get that top spot automatically gets the 4th seed. That would mean that the Mavs and Spurs would meet in the 2nd round of the playoffs. That does not make sense at all. I know the divisional leaders should get rewarded but it's just weird.

Yeah, the format is a bit weird. Denver's record isn't that good to deserve the third seed. And it'd be strange to see a Dalls-San Antonio matchup on the second round. The West Finals may be anti-climactic.

Originally Posted by bishop743

LeBron James hit his second game-winning shot last night. This time against the New Orleans Hornets. Right now, for me, the road to MVP is a 3-man race between LeBron, Kobe and Nash. It's gonna be interesting to see who wins out. All 3 have had incredible seasons.

Second gamewinner -- nice. It's a tough pick for MVP. Lebron stuffs the stat sheet every night with 32-7-7. That is incredible.

Steve Nash, considering the fact that the Suns don't have Amare, Nash has elevated his own play even more, and made Marion so good.

Then there's Kobe. I'm watching the Warriors-Lakers game right now, and Kobe has 30 points. ...It's halftime.

Originally Posted by bishop743

The Pistsons are 62-15 as of this post. They have 5 games remaining. If they win out, which I don't think they will, they'll finish the season 67-15. Seeing how good this team is goes to show, not only how tough it is to win 70 games, but also shows how amazing that 95-96 Bulls team was. I think it'll be quite sometime before we see a team like that again.

I'm looking at the Pistons last few games, and I don't think it's a stretch to say they can win out: Cleveland, Toronto, New York, Milwaukee, Washington. It's very possible they can finish 67-15. Which, yeah, is still a far cry from the '95'96 Bulls.

That Bulls team just stampeded over the league. But that team, surprisingly, did lose two straight games at one point in the season. No NBA team has ever finished a season without losing consecutive games.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Ha, Allen Iverson scored 40 points in a crucial blow-out win over the Nets.

The Sixers are fighting for this.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Toronto just beat Detroit. Really.

Mike James scored a career-high 39 points, and is averaging 20.1 points for the season.

Sixers got pounded by the Heat tonight.

And these are cool:



What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by bishop743

It looks like the Bulls are going to beat the Wizards, so Philly will not make the playoffs.

EDIT:

Yep, Bulls win. Ben Gordon was ON from long range tonight. He tied an NBA record for most 3-pointers without a miss, going 9-9 from beyond the arc.

Wow, that's impressive. 9-9 is amazing. An NBA record he shares with ... Latrell Sprewell.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Alonzo Mourning has been on the receiving end of some pretty nasty dunks this season.

Yeah, shotblockers tend to get dunk on a lot. There's always that risk.

I think everyone's climbed Mt. Mutombo at some point.

Originally Posted by bishop743

The one by Vince Carter earlier this season is the most noteable one.

How ya doing, buddy?

Dwight Howard ... 28 points, 26 rebounds in a win over the Sixers, whose Playoff hopes are sinking fast.

I like how teams seeded 5 through 8 in the East right now are all sub .500.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'm amped for the Playoffs, even though I'm upset that there's no Iverson or Garnett to root for. What a waste to not have them showcasing their talent.

But all eyes on Lebron.

Here are my predictions for the first round:


Pistons (1) vs. Bucks (8): Pistons in four
Cavaliers (4) vs. Wizards (5): Cavaliers in six
Nets (3) vs. Pacers (6): Nets in six
Heat (2) vs. Bulls (7): Heat in five


Spurs (1) vs. Kings (8): Spurs in six
Mavericks (4) vs. Grizzlies (5): Mavericks in five
Nuggets (3) vs. Clippers (6): Nuggets in seven
Suns (2) vs. Lakers (7): Lakers in seven

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Haha, I usually just predict one round at a time. It's less messy that way.

Wait a second, Wizards over Pistons in five for Round 2?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Regular seasons wins and losses don't really have much merit come playoff time. That Washington sweep (3 games) took place during an 82-game season. The last win, on Apr. 19th, was a game in which hardly any of the Piston starters played at all... so you can't really count that one. Winning 3 games over an 82-game span is a lot different than beating a team 4 times in 7 days. Wizards definitely have a shot at beating Cleveland though, esepcially if LeBron is still favoring that ankle.

Speaking of Iverson, I really think Philly is finally going to start shopping him around during the offseason. With this whole Fan Appreciation fiasco now, I think it's time for him to move on. Before, even when they weren't a very good team, AI alone would continue to fill seats. That's not the case anymore. I want him to move on and get a shot at winning a championship. Out of respect for you though Timberwolf, I won't get into KG.

Very true, regular season doesn't mean anything. It only gives you some confidence going into the series.

Wow, the whole Fan Appreciation Night fiasco... I don't understand why AI would come 7 minutes after tipoff. That isn't right. AI has shown more maturity in recent years, but he takes a step back with this one.

Haha thanks. But naw, don't worry, you can talk about KG being traded. It's a possibility. I'm a Kevin Garnett fan before I am a Minnesota Timberwolves fan. So if KG ultimately ends up being traded, whichever team he lands on will instantly be the team I root for.

But the latest reports out of Minnesota say that McHale is staying, and suggest that Kevin Garnett is not going anywhere.

Double Post:
So Lebron James had a spectacular Playoff debut in a Game 1 win over the Wizards: 32 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds. (Um, the boxscore says 11 rebounds, but the arena statistician registered 10 at the time).

Beast.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Good game between the Clippers and the Nuggets. Melo had two chances to tie or win the game, but came up empty.

I think this is going to be a fun series to watch.

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Originally Posted by bishop743

D-Wade simply went off in the 4th quarter in Game 1 against the Bulls. For 3 quarters, Chicago pretty much had him in check, then he just exploded and took the game over. The Bulls made mistakes down the stretch that cost them the game but that's to be expected from a young team. Should be an interesting series.

Shaq had a nice game, too: 27 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 blocks, 2 steals.


So, I guess everyone's watching Game 1 of the Suns-Lakers series. Kwame has been playing solid as of late.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The Nets are the first home team to losing Game 1. Kind of a controversial finish there, with the foul call that really shouldn't have been called.

Double Post:
I hate to say it, but Kobe got robbed. With 22 seconds to go, he was hacked and fouled across his face, and should've been at the line to cut the deficit to two.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by bishop743

heh, I got two words for you: OH WELL! :P

Yeah, like I said earlier, even though the Pacers are the lower seed I really think they have a shot at taking out the Nets. They're finally back to full strength now and their chemistry is starting to mesh well.

Kobe didn't have one of his normal explosive-ball hog-40+points games tonight. Even so, the Lakers were still in the game late. Before the series is said and done though, I wouldn't be suprised if he cracked 50 more than once.

Ha, don't worry -- It's not like I'm not bitter or anything

It's just that I want to see Kobe lose fair and square. That's how I like it.

I think Kobe was trying to do his Steve Nash impression, by passing a lot. Too bad he failed miserably in Game 1.



So, I'm watching Game 2 of the Nuggets-Clippers series. Wait a second, I just realized something. Why does the Clippers have homecourt? I thought only in the latter rounds does homecourt go to the team with the better record. I thought in round one, homecourt advantage goes to the higher seed -- in this case, Denver.

Did I miss something.

Double Post:
Ron Artest is suspended for Game 2.

Oops.

FELIPE NO

Kobe suddenly playing according to "Phil's game plan" after 80 games of jacking up 27.16 shots per game? It almost worked?

So it's Phil Jackson's idea for Kobe to shoot 7-21, right.

Here's Phil Jackson's quote after the game:

Quote:

Our game plan was to exploit the middle and do the things we wanted to, but he [Bryant] was still supposed to be a force over on that side of the offense. I just felt he never really got in rhythm until the end, and we said 'Just go after it'

Oops.

Kobe's game is no mystery. With all that talent, he still has trouble being an effective playmaker and a dominator at the same time. He doesn't know how.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Frylock

If it weren't for that, we probably would not even be in the playoffs. Kobe had to take most of the offensive load because Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they just didn't understand the triangle offense.

Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they played with a ball dominator who didn't know how to involve them in the offense.

And I heard a rumor that Lamar Odom is a pretty good player. He even makes good decisions when the basketball is in his hands.

Too bad he only sees the ball when Kobe kicks it out.

Originally Posted by Frylock

That's precisely what they did. What's your fucking point?

My point is that Kobe doesn't know how to be a facilitator and a dominant force at the same time. He tried to "facilitate" in Game 1, but couldn't get his own offensive game going when he needed to.

Because, precisely as you said, he couldn't get his rhythm going because of the facilitator role he was playing. He was trying too hard to be something he had no idea how to be.

He doesn't know how to be both a playmaker and a dominant force simultaneously.

Originally Posted by Frylock

Sometimes when you exert yourself too much on one end, you can't get it going on the other. It happens to all greats.

We're talking about offense. Being a facilitator on offense can exert yourself so much that you can't get your own offensive game going?

Are you even serious.

Originally Posted by Frylock

I'll admit, that Kobe doesn't have good court vision like Bron, but that's what Lamar's for.

Too bad Lamar doesn't see the ball until there's two seconds left on the clock.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Game 2 between the Lakers and Suns is tomorrow night. I also see Kobe dropping 50 in one of these games. He averaged 42.5 against the Suns this season. It's what he knows.

Denver will have to win both home games to get back in this series. It's hardly impossible, but their confidence and body language seem to say otherwise.

But all eyes on Lebron once again tonight.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Frylock

I like how you completely overlooked the part about them NOT understanding the triangle offense. Also, did you catch Lamar's recent comment where he states that he is just starting to get comfortable running the triangle? Of course not, you're just a blind hater who hasn't seen many Laker games this season.

Kobe's ball dominating tendendy is a big reason why Lamar and Kwame needed so much time to understand the Triangle.

And it's no secret that Kobe himself strays from the principles of the Triangle time and time again.

I don't like Kobe as a person, but I've got mad respect for his basketball talent. Believe it or not, I actually like watching him play basketball. I'm not a blind hater -- I call it as I see it.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Sacto almost had it. If only they stayed with the shooters on that Spurs possession.

Kind of a lucky bounce for Barry, but give him credit.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by bishop743

The Lakers-Suns game was really good. I can't believe it: Kobe scores under 30.... AND THEY WIN!! Incredible!!! It looks like the guys around him are starting to get the hang of that triangle offense and improving on their continuity. But that dunk....dayum!! Kobe Bryant dunked all up in Nash's grill!! (Timerwolf: I'm counting on you to get me a pic of that! )

That dunk was something.





Sorry, no animated .gif this time. I'm searching for it, though.


So the Bulls won Game 3. Interesting.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Yeah, yesterday was a great night of Playoff basketball. Every game was close and intense.

Lebron was terrific, though I am almost certain that he traveled on two of those baskets.

That Kings-Spurs game was thrilling.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

The real Pistons were napping.

124-104. What is that.

Did they really give up 124 points. I must be seeing things.

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Kobe Bryant. Oh my.

As much as I dislike him as a person, he's still a brilliant individual basketball talent.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

What a clutch performance. It's one thing to take last second shots when the game is tied, and you're trying to win the game. If you miss, it's overtime.

But it's a whole other thing to take last second shots when your team is trailing. The feeling and pressure are completely different.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by RockgamerXIII

Damn, the Spurs lost, though it's not a surprise by the way they were playing. It was painful watching the gap get wider and wider, mainly in the fourth quarter. Even with this defeat though, I still predict that the Spurs will win the series in 5 games (meaning they'll win the next two).

You mean six games The series is knotted at 2-2.

Ginobili managed only 11 points in Games 3 and 4 combined. They'll need more out of him if they want to win the series.

The Kings are playing well. Bonzi and Artest are playing great. Not to mention Kevin Martin (AKA The Real K-Mart) and Mike Bibby. Bibby's shooting 35.5% for the series, though.

If it weren't for the fortunate bounce on Barry's shot in Game 2, this series could easily be 3-1 right now for the eighth-seeded Kings.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Clippers and Mavericks move on.

Did Dallas even break a sweat.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Jerry West had put together a great team down there in Memphis. The one thing they're lacking is someone who can create and make their own shot in clutch situations. Hopefully, they wil start hunting for that type of player during the offseason.

Damon Stoudamire was pretty solid in those situations. I remember his days with the Raptors, making a lot of big shots.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Man, the Nuggets were a huge disappointment in the playoffs. That whole Kenyon Martin debacle certainly didn't help matters either. They'll probably try to trade him this summer.

The Nuggets were definitely a disappointment this year in the Playoffs. This was their shot. Their first legit shot at advancing. Two years ago, they were playing underdogs to the top seed Timberwolves. Last year, they were playing underdogs to the eventual Champs. This year was their chance.

And they crumbled.

Poor Melo didn't shoot well in the series (33.3%).

Kenyon Martin is a player I never liked. That goes back to his New Jersey days.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?