A lot of talk coming out of the Eastern Conference first round series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls was that it was the greatest playoff series ever. The absence of Kevin Garnett aside from a fly suit and diamond earrings keeps me from agreeing with the majority. Not having the Defensive Player of the Year on the court completely changes the Celtics. Their record and aura came from a stifiling and focused defense. No KG and they are totally diffrent. The lost of Leon Powe adds even more to the departure of their mystique. The series was hard fought by both teams, but it was only dramatic due to the overtimes and Rondo smacking and throwing elbows. The Chicago Bulls are young and had nothing to lose, but would have been gravely outmatched had KG been there. The series will be easily forgotten if the Houston-Lakers series goes 7, or if Cleveland and the Lakers meet in the Finals and that goes seven. So relax, enjoy good basketball and dont rush to give every 7 game series the greatest ever title.
Posts Tagged ‘Conference’
NOT the Greatest Series Ever..why..No KG!
Category NBA
Will Kevin Garnett play in Game 7?
Category NBA
[polldaddy poll=1586376]
5 Reasons Why Josh Smith SHOULD NOT Try An Under the Leg Dunk in the Playoffs!!
Category NBA
5 Reasons why Josh Smith should not try an under the leg dunk in the playoffs!
5. Its the fisrt round of the Playoffs, and if you remeber you guys lost in seven games last year. This series looks like its headed that same direction. The Finals on the road, and up two games with 2 minutes left…by all means go for it.
4. You could miss it.Your team was up double digits at the time, but bringing down the field goal % and not adding to the blowout matters. A simple Statue of Liberty dunk would have sufficed.
3. Basketball Robot #3 aka Dwayne Wade plays for the other team.Upsetting Basketball Robot #3 could be disastrous for your team. Dwayne Wade saw you attempt it, and he doesn’t like losing. Heading back to Miami look for Dwayne Wade to explode in Game 6.
2.Heading back to Miami. You have to go to Miami where they are “Back in Black”(Big Ups AC/DC) and win the series. Nothing gets a team more determined then one with its back against the wall.
1.Did I mention Dwanye Wade aka Basketball Robot #3 plays for the other team. The defense for the Atlanta Hawks is going to have to be superb on Friday. The Miami Heat could have returned home downtrodden from a physical lost to the Hawks in Game 5, but now they have an image to drive them…Josh Smith trying to show them up
So whats a Flagrant foul???
Category NBA
The NBA on Wednesday made a shocking decision. The decision to suspend one player who threw an elbow and one who threw a punch. The elbow was delivered by Dwight Howard in the first quarter of Game 5 in Orlando. The recipient was Samuel Dalambert who took the elbow pretty good. The punch came from Rajan Rondo in the final seconds of Game 5 in Boston. The recipient of the punch was Brad Miller, and he didn’t take the punch as well. What turned out to be so shocking was that Howard was suspended from Game 6 in Philadelphia, while Rondo received no further punishment. The elbow from Howard was at the beginning of a game in which he had 24 points and 24 rebounds. Think if he had been thrown out right at that moment the momentum it would have given the 76ers. Instead Howard remained in the game to accidentally(this time) elbow his own teammate Courtney Lee, who will also miss game 6 with a fractured sinus. In many ways the Chicago Bulls are feeling the repercussions of being the 8thseed and up against the defending champs. With less than 5 seconds remaining, the Bulls passed the ball into Brad Miller who immediately attacked the basket. As he extended for the goal his face was met by Rondos paw, causing an airball and a whistle from the ref. Miller had to stop the bleeding in his mouth before he attempted the potential game tying free throws. The look on Brad Millers face made it obvious he was a ball player and not a boxer. He stepped to the line and missed both free throws while obviously groggy. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro didn’tagree with the call “Rondo didn’t come near the ball. He came right across his face. I agree that it is a hard playoff foul, but you still have to call it a flagrant and I’m sure that will be addressed,” Del Negro said afterward. Unfortunately for the Bulls the triple double averaging Rondo will be on the court come Game 6. The next player to be involved in any flagrant altercation will most certainly be suspended, if he doesnt play for the Boston Celtics.
Good Bye Bad Boys!
Category NBA
Embedded video from NBA Video
The Bad Boys are no more. With the sweep of the Pistons by the Cleveland Cavaliers we bid a fond farewell to the Bad Boys. In a way the Bad Boys had left a long time ago. Their exit in the Eastern Conference Finals last season seemed like a goodbye in some way. The signing of Kwame Brown was cause for some concern.. The end is mostly associated to the trade of Chauncey Biillups for Allen Iverson. The key to machine, the floor general was traded for a “me-first” player who in many ways is a Bad Boy but without leadership can become a problem. Joe Dumars has a team that has lost its identity with a young coach and a city in economic turmoil. The number of Cavs fan in the season finale on Sunday was a key sign of the times in Detriot. The Bad Boys will return. The future lies on the square shoulders of Tayshaun Prince who had the worst playoff series stats-wise in his career. Rip Hamilton and the much calmer Rasheed Wallace are unable to carry any longer. With a key free agent and the maturation of Aaron Afalo and Jason Maxiel the Bad Boys can rise from the ashes. Unfortunately the East is rapidly becoming stronger with the Cavs, Nets, Bulls, Magic, all young and grasping for the top spot in the East. Bad Boys you will be missed.
NBA Playoff Preview! EASTERN CONFERENCE
Category NBA
The NBA season has finally come to an end. The long awaited playoffs are upon us. and I look forward to the next two months of playoff basketball. The NBA is crossing its fingers and praying that the Cavs and Lakers meet up in the Finals. The Kobe vs. LeBron would be a ratings bonanza. The Cavs and Lakers are definitely the two teams to beat being #1 and #2 in the league but their pathto the Finals wont come easy. Lets start with the less dramatic Eastern Conference. With the lost of Kevin Garnett the#2 Boston Celtics become a mystery and not as good of a defensive team as they were last year, but…what luck they are playing the #7 Chicago Bulls, who no nothing of defense. The #4 Atlanta Hawks have homecourt in the first round against the #5 Miami Heat and they are going to need it. Dwayne Wade is capable of carrying his team past the Hawks. Almost forgot about the #3 Orlando Magic and the #6 Philadelphia 76ers…well never mind.
1.Cleveland Cavaliers vs.#8 Detriot Pistons
With the loss of Allen Iverson and no true identity since the departure of Chauncey Billups the Pistons winning even two games in this series seems a stretch.ending their run of six consecutive conference finals appearances . The Cavs have put the Pistons to shame on their homecourt twice this season but the Cavs must not second guess the Pistons. The Pistons are full of vets. Rasheed Wallace is making his 13th appearance in the postseason, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Antonio Mcdyess all have been here before…just not in the 8th spot. Cavs in 5.
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
If only the Bulls played a little “D” they could give the Celtics a hard time. The Celtics remember last year and what happens when you look past an opponent..unfortunately for the Bulls, they are the infant version of the Hawks. Don’t get me wrong, Derrick Rose is ROY, but in the Playoffs your season stats aren’t factored in. Boston will have difficulty if the jumpers stop falling but they will win this one easy. Celtics in 5.
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat
The Hawks scared the crap out of all the Celtics fans last year. Taking the soon to be champs to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs. The Miami Heat haven’t even been to the playoffs since they said goodbye to Dirk and the Mavs in the 06′ Finals. This one is a toss-up, the Hawks should on paper have this one, but an Olympic gold medal wearing Dwayne Wade has enough in the tank to at least get his team out the first round. Heat in 7.
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers
No offense to ether team but this one is a pass. Magic in 4
