The 2005-2006 NBA Season Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by Goubot

I dunno about that. It may apply to the top of the leagues, when whoever came out of the West would become clear favorites to stomp on the jokers of the East, but the middle and bottom of the East on average is still much worse than the Western conference (remember, many of the playoff qualifiers this year were below .500 for much of the playoff race). The last couple years, the winners of the Eastern conference were pretty much written off (Detroit, New Jersey, Philly), but Detroit has emerged as at least one of the big dogs.

I've never figured out why there's such a big disparity between the conferences, but it's been the case for a while now. Maybe it's just a reversal of the dominance of the Jordan Bulls. My guess is that the situation will reverse again as the East accumulates star draft picks.

I'm not talking about the middle or bottom-feeders of the conferences. I mean, come on, the Kings were the 8th seed this year for the West. If they had that record and were in the East, they'd be a 5th seed. So yeah, as a whole, the West is still dominant over the East, but I'm talking about the top teams in each conference. Detroit, Miami and New Jersey are better than the Suns, Mavs and Clippers in my view. Why? Because those teams in the East play defense. It's cliche, but it's true, defense wins championships. The Suns and Mavs are all about run and gun... and not very much defense. So, in a 7-game series, I'm definitely taking Miami or Detriot over the Suns or Mavs.

Before the Pistons bitchslapped the Lakers 2 years ago, pretty much everyone felt that whoever came out of the West was gonna win the championship. That has completely changed and that's what I was referring to. But yeah, I get your point.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Does anyone else find Jason Terry annoying when he talks.

To be honest, I have never really listened to him. What's so annoying about him?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Even Tim Duncan can be quite funny when he wants to be.

heh, I like how Tim Duncan looks, acts and talks the same way whether it's after a Game 7 win or a Game 7 loss. His demeanor.. like.. never changes. But yeah, he can be funny and engaging when he wants to be.

I enjoy Shaq and Sheed's interviews as well.

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

The Heat totally outplayed the Pistons last night. Maybe the Pistons were still lagging from that Game 7, I dunno. They were down big, came back to take the lead for a little bit, then let it get away from them a second time. Dwayne Wade was very efficient from the field, scoring 25 points on only 11 shots. Even though Shaq didn't have one of his monster games, guys like Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton came up huge off the bench.

This ain't gonna be like last year. Miami is healthy and sizzling right now. I still think this is a 6 or 7 game series though. Even though Detroit played poorly, they still were in the game late and had opportunities to get over the hump. I think they make the necessary adjustments and tie the series in Game 2.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Poor Josh Howard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUHIfOicCbU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLV3a4CgYLE

haha, damn cuz, now that's messed up.


So... you have a 9 point lead with just under 4 min left in the game. 9 times out 10, you can go ahead and mark that down as a "W". But, uh uh, not against the Suns and that offense. They completely exploded in those last few minutes. Steve Nash hit some huge shots but it was Boris Diaw who won the game for him. He's really come into his own during this playoff run. He had a good regular season and now he's stepping up even more in the postseason. Overall, the game was very exciting and entertaining. This series is gonna be a fun one to watch.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I don't want to say that the Pistons-Heat series is over but the Pistons-Heat series is over. Miami took a 3-1 lead in the series with an 89-78 victory last night. Shaq played very well and showed flashes of the great dominance he had back in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. And whatelse can be said about Dwayne Wade. The guy has a great first half, doesn't even take a shot in the 3rd quarter... then comes back and takes the game back over in the 4th quarter. That shot when he was falling away from the basket and flipped the ball up for an AND-1 was phemomenal. He's really letting the game come to him and his shooting efficiency is downright scary. Detroit has NO answer for him. Udonis Haslem played big as well.

It seems to me that Detroit has lost their defense swagger. They were able to get away with it (narrowly) against the Cavs, but against the Heat, it's just not cutting it. Miami has proven that they are the better team, with the better coach. Flip Saunders has not been preparing his team well defensively at all. I guess there is something to be said about Larry Brown and his coaching style.

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

Thanks for the pics, T-Wolf.

Yeah, Shaq's one-man fast break for the layup was hilarious. Nobody wanted or dared to get in his way. He looked like a young fella out there.

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

It seems ilke everytime the Pistons have their backs against the wall and people are counting them out, they find a way to make something happen. This entire series their vaunted defense was nowhere to be found, but last night, it showed up with a vengeance. Even though Dwayne Wade didn't have a terrible game, per say, the Pistons did a great job of denying him the ball and trapping him whenever he did get it. Also, the Heat really shot themselves in the foot by shooting very poorly from the free throw line.

Detroit has to feel good about this victory. They didn't play so hot either. Tayshuan Prince was really the only guy who was consistent offensively. He hit a huge 3-pointer when a blocked shot when right to him. That shot gave them a 6-point lead late in the 4th quarter as the Heat were getting ack in the game.

Now the pressure is on the Miami Heat to close this series out in Miami on Friday. They definitely don't want a Game 7 in Detroit. It's still gonna be an uphill battle for the Pistons. They need to keep their defense running on all cylinders and they need more production offensively from Rasheed, Billups and Hamilton. I'm not ready to write them off just yet.

I was speaking idiomatically.

When the Suns got 3 24-second violations in the first quarter, I thought it was going to be a long night for them. But they were able to overcome that and stay in the game, for the most part. Nowitzki, in the 4th quarter basically said, "Give me the damn ball and get out of my way!" He would not be denied. He had an incredible game. Man, if the Suns could find a way to force a Game 7 and win, that would be amazing. I don't remember the last time a team won 3 straight Game 7's ('course, up until a few years ago, the first round was a best of 5).

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Wow, the Pistons were out of this game halfway through the first quarter. Even though D-Wade was fighting the flu, he was still able to go out there and contribute to his team's victory. Shaq had a stellar, dominant game as well. Also, Jason Williams suprised the hell out of me... and from the looks of it, the Pistons too. He really went off in the 3rd quarter.

When it comes right down to it, the wheels of the Pistons' offense feel off midway through their first round matchup against Bucks. They were able to squeak by the first two rounds, but it caught up with them when they ran into the Heat. THEN they lost their lockdown defensive intensity and that sealed the deal for them right there. Miami was simply the better team this time around. Congrats to them for making it to the Finals for the first time in franchise history. I'm rooting for them so hopefully Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton can get rings.

Originally Posted by Goubot

Anyone bored enough to talk about the offseason at this point?

Still a bit too early for that. But, right now, I'm interested in seeing if either Allen Iverson or Kevin Garnett get traded. It's starting to look like they're both beginning to wear out their welcome, especially Iverson. Both of them could use a change of scenery though.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

I lost some respect for Alonzo after he refused to suit up and play for the Raptors. He didn't even report to the team, essentially forcing the Raptors to let him go. I mean, as a professional athlete, you should honour contracts and trades as part of the sport.

And I love Gary Payton, and I think he deserves a ring. But he's been a ring-chaser the past couple of years, basically latching himself to whatever team Shaq's on.

I've always found curious, ring-chasers in the twilight of their careers, signing with contenders just to win a ring. The most blatant example is the 2003-2004 Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

I wonder how much that ring would worth to them had they actually won it that year. Imagine how the annals of NBA history would talk about them, as ring-chasers jumping on teams virtually guaranteed to win it all. Imagine them explaining to their grandchildren years down the road, "Oh, I couldn't win a ring after leading my former team for 10-15 years. But then I began to age and decline, and so I joined a team led by Shaq and Kobe as a last desperate attempt to win it all. And that's how I got this ring. See how shiny and big it is."

Or in Payton's case this year, Shaq and D-Wade.

As far as Alonzo Mourning goes, yeah that was a very low-class move he made. People are investing millions of dollars in him, he should have went out there and honored his contract as you said. It was a mistake, and a big one, but I don't think that should tarnish his whole career or anything.

I dunno about this "ring-chasers" thing man. I mean, when Karl Malone and Gary Payton left their respective teams, the Jazz and Sonics were beginning to move in a different direction. Malone and Payton had given them all they could. Neither were good enough to carry a team anymore but they still had talent. So, I don't have a problem with them singing with a contending team to contribute. What, you expected them to sign with the Hawks or Raptors? :P

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

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Well ... not the Hawks or Raptors. Haha.

But it's just that it was so blatantly obvious what they were trying to do. I mean, how much would you value that ring, knowing that you only won it because of Shaq and Kobe (Wade) and another hall of famer?

I think it's unfortunate that many sports pundits judge your career by how many championships you have. And I think it's unfair that such an emphasis is placed on it, above all else. So much so that aging superstars on their decline feel it necessary to latch themselves onto a contender, just to win a ring to solidify their greatness.

But I think most people would rather have a Charles Barkley career, rather than a Robert Horry one. Or a Reggie Miller, rather than a Rip Hamilton. Or a John Stockton, rather than a Steve Kerr.

Allen Iverson put it very well this year: "I think I deserve to win a championship for everything I put in as far as trying to win one, but I'm not going to chase it. I can end my career without a championship and be happy with the effort I gave to try and win one."

It's the same way I feel about Kevin Garnett. But the only difference between the 2006 Garnett/Iverson versus the 2004 Malone/Payton is that the former two are still in their prime. They can join a different team right now and instantly be the focal point. Hence, any success they have with their new team can be directly attribute to them.

It's like in 1993, had Barkley won a ring with Phoenix after leaving Philly, that ring would've meant everything to him.

That quote from Allen Iverson is golden. I wish more atheletes took that approach. The media puts WAY too much emphasis on winning championships. I just hate when they use terms like "greatest player never to have won a championship" or "most postseason games played without reaching the Finals". I hate crap like that. Yeah for the great players, championships should be something that is looked at, but it shouldn't be the main identifier of how successful their career was.

I think the part of your post about most people rather having a Charles Barkley career over a Robert Horry one, ect., is true too.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Well, Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat is tonight. Dwayne Wade might not be at 100% but he is giong to give it a go. I think it's going to be a great series. Part of me wants the Mavs to win this win.... and part of me doesn't heh. I have a great appreciation for Avery Johnson, so I'd like to see him win it. But, on the other hand, I can't stand Mark Cuban, and it'd piss me off to see his team get a ring. Dallas has a much deeper team than the Heat, so they have the advantage there. Also, Avery Johnson has given them a good, defensive identity now.... one that was non-existant in years past.

I'm gonna go with the Mavs in 6 for this series. D-Wade and Shaq are gonna be there every night, but I just don't think their supporting cast is going to be able to contribute consistently enough to counteract Dallas' depth.

How ya doing, buddy?

Mavs win Game 1 as I suspected. And my theory was correct as well, it seems. In the first half, the Heat gained an 11-point lead at one point with a lot of help from guys like Antoine Walker and Jason Williams. However, in the second half, those guys cooled off and the Mavs took full advantage of it. If Miami doesn't find a consistent 3rd scorer, they will not win this series.

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

Jason Terry carried the Mavs last night. The Heat did a pretty good job on Dirk the whole game. If Terry keeps playing this way the whole series, it's lights out for Miami.

Two stats that jumped out at me:

1) The Heat shot 7-19 from the free throw line. All 19 of those free throws were either shot by Wade or Shaq.
-- This tells me that the Heat are mainly settling for jumpshots. This won't get ti done against Dallas. Guys like Haslem, Walker and Payton need to force the issue and get to the line. 9 times out 10, the Mavs are going to win a shootout.

2) The Mav's bench outscored the Heat's bench 24-2
-- Like I said in an earlier post, Dallas is a much deeper team than the Heat. This stat shows that perfectly. If the Heat don't get more scoring from their bench, they got no shot (no pun intended).

It's just one game but if the Heat don't make the necessary adjustments, the Mavs are gonna be holding up the Larry O' Brien trophy in Miami. Pat Riley is a veteran coach with a lot of veteran players, so we'll see what alterations he makes for Game 2.

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

Shaq had 5 points.... 5 POINTS! The Mavericks pretty much made him a non-factor in the game. Originally, I took the Mavs in 6, but now I may have to revise that to the Mavs in 5. Miami looked completely dicombobulated out there. It seemed like they made no adjustments after that Game 1 shallacking. Miami has way more to worry about now other than Topical Storm Alberto... because Hurricane Dallas is making a beeline right for them on Tuesday.

I was speaking idiomatically.

A taste of home cooking for Miami will help a bit but I don't think it's going to turn this series around... or even make it a series, 'cause thus far, it hasn't been. No team has ever won all 3 of those middle games at home since they went to the 2-3-2 format. It's not gonna happen here either because Dallas is too good of a team. I expect Miami to only get one of those games.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Frylock

Dr. buss is looking like a friggin' genius, now.

heh, don't see how. An aging, worn down Shaq (with Wade, of course) got his Miami Heat team to the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Kobes had a 3-1 lead against the Suns, squandered it and lost in the first round.

Originally Posted by Frylock

04' Pistons would like a word with you.

My bad, yeah, I forgot about them. Thanks for the correction. That's the only time though.

FELIPE NO

Dwayne Wade didn't win this game, although he played VERY well in the 4th quarter with 5 fouls. Nah, the Dallas Mavericks lost this game. I've been giving props to Avery Johnson for the entire season, but his coaching down the stretch was atrocious. And, for all the talk about the Heat's woes at the free throw line, Nowitzki comes up with a chance to tie the damn game and misses one of them. But if shouldn't have ever come to that. Dallas had a 13-point lead at one point and just choked it away. I still think the Mavs are the better team and will still win this series but the Heat have given themselves life and hope after that impropable win last night.

They gotta win Game 4 though or last night's victory won't matter.

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

This morning before I left for work, I wasn't able to eat my customary cereal for breakfast, I had to eat a bit of crow instead. The Miami Heat are officially back in this series now after winning last night and evening the series at 2-2. It was a dominating performance all around for Miami from beginning to end. Dirk Nowitzki had a very rough shooting night and Dwayne Wade lit up South Beach with 36 points. If the first 3 quarters weren't bad enough for Dallas, the 4th quarter was even worse. In that 4th quarter, they only managed to score 7 points, a new record low for the NBA Finals.

When it all comes down to it though, both teams have been doing what they were supposed to do, take care of business at home. Dallas is still in the driver seat at the moment, having home-court advantage, but it would greatly help their confidence and psyche if they were able to steal Game 5 and be up 3-2 heading back to Big-D. Also, Jerry Stackhouse might miss that game because of a suspension after that flagrant foul against Shaq last night. We'll see....

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Yep, suspension. One game.

This may cost them.

Yeah, seriously. The Mavs might not be ready to win a championship. This is the second time this postseason that someone has been suspended for a game. Jason Terry got one during the San Antonio series and that almost cost them. Mistakes like this aren't how you go about winning a championship.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

But this was Dwyane's night. The Finals MVP trophy has his name on it.

The last 3 nights (games) have been Wade's nights (games). Over the 3 home games in Miami, Wade has averaged 40.3 points. He is the main reason why this Miami team is only the 2nd team in history to win all 3 middle games in the Finals. It's official: Dwayne Wade is the best player in the league right now.

Dallas made even more critical mistakes last night. Missed free-throws by normally good free-throw shooters, Howard's early timeout call. These are the type of things that decide who wins out, and so far, the Mavs have failed miserably. Sunday was a bad day for "M"'s. First Phil Mickelson chokes, then the Mavs choke... again!

I'm still picking the Mavs to win this series. It's been a great matchup and I think it deserves to go 7 games, so I'm hoping Dallas can get their swagger back and find a way to pull this out.

Also, I like an owner who's hands-on and everything, but what the hell is Mark Cuban doing? He's all up in the huddle during timeouts. I wouldn't be suprised if he was chatting with the ballboy and running plays through to Avery Johnson. I'm sayin', dude needs to be the rich owner and sit up in the box somewhere. He's gotta be a distraction to the team.


"What am I saying to you right now, dog? Please, don't come off on me right now because I'm going to come off on you, and I'm not in a great mood right now. Get out of my face, man. Get out of my face."
-- Josh Howard when asked by Chris Sheridan to comment on his controversial timeout call.

... haha!

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

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Oh, is anyone else happy for Gary Payton who hit that clutch, left-handed, high-off-the-glass layup? He's hit big shots in two of the Heat's wins.

That's exactly why you pick up a Gary Payton during the offseason. He's not good enough to carry a team, but if you need a big bucket late, he's a veteran guy who can still deliver. I like how for 3 quarters, Jason Terry abuses him and Jason Williams, but Terry always gets burned in crunch time.

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

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Oh, and just in case some people believe the Mavericks' insinuation that Wade was not fouled on his last drive:



The only odd thing was that the refs called the foul on Nowitzki, not Harris. But in any case, Wade was fouled.

I don't think anyone was debating there being a foul. I think the main criticism was that the refs let that decide the game. It was a ticky-tack foul, they should have swallowed their whistles on that play. But of course, star players get certain calls, and that's the nature of the game. Dallas doesn't have anything to whine about though, they had their opportunities.

I was speaking idiomatically.

It doesn't look like there was a foul to me at all, or one that warranted a foul call, at least. But, Nowitzki should have done a better job of closing that lane when Wade made his way down there. It might have forced him to take a tough jumpshot with two people crowding him. Also on the play before that, Devon Harris drove down the lane and CLEARLY drew contact, but didn't get the call. Inconsistent officiating down the stretch it seems.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?