2009 NBA Playoffs

[rams80]

Now all the pressure is on the Orlando Magic & the Master Of Panic!!!

They still have two chances. Your boys must win both games. Berzerker LeBron can't save you every game.

I didn't come hear talking sh** saying the Cavs were going to the finals. All I said was pressures on them to end this thing Saturday night. I don't care what happened in Boston they ain't winning if this thing goes to game 7.

The same thing was said going into that game 7 against Boston. Orlando's already won once in Cleveland this series, and is a miracle shot away from having done that twice. Another win in Cleveland is certainly possible.

[PittsburghSucks]

Now all the pressure is on the Orlando Magic & the Master Of Panic!!!

They still have two chances. Your boys must win both games. Berzerker LeBron can't save you every game.

I didn't come hear talking sh** saying the Cavs were going to the finals. All I said was pressures on them to end this thing Saturday night. I don't care what happened in Boston they ain't winning if this thing goes to game 7.

The same thing was said going into that game 7 against Boston. Orlando's already won once in Cleveland this series, and is a miracle shot away from having done that twice. Another win in Cleveland is certainly possible.

You're right, I guess the pressure is on Cleveland to win on Saturday night. I'm sure Stan will tell his team don't worry. If we lose Saturday we'll just win it on Monday.

[Sport]

Now all the pressure is on the Orlando Magic & the Master Of Panic!!!

They still have two chances. Your boys must win both games. Berzerker LeBron can't save you every game.

I didn't come hear talking sh** saying the Cavs were going to the finals. All I said was pressures on them to end this thing Saturday night. I don't care what happened in Boston they ain't winning if this thing goes to game 7.

The same thing was said going into that game 7 against Boston. Orlando's already won once in Cleveland this series, and is a miracle shot away from having done that twice. Another win in Cleveland is certainly possible.

You're right, I guess the pressure is on Cleveland to win on Saturday night. I'm sure Stan will tell his team don't worry. If we lose Saturday we'll just win it on Monday.

I get what you're saying, but Cleveland winning game 7 at home isn't a lock. The Magic played like crap tonight and they were a few dumb turnovers and free throws away from winning the series tonight. It's not impossible, but yes, they don't want to go back to Cleveland on a two game losing streak.

[PittsburghSucks]

This series has been so close. Both teams have won a game by 10 points. All I hear is everybody saying the Cavs are one missed 3 from getting swept. Well in game 4 if West doesn't tip that rebound out of bounds the Cavs win that game. Cleveland could just as easily be up 3-2. Orlando should win at home on Saturday. If they let LeBron get up off the mat and win game 6 I like the Cavs chances in a game 7. I just hope it gets to game 7!!!

[dfwabel]

No, that's the story of the NBA, period.

Pretty much. That has been going on all year, it's just magnified now that it's playoff time.

I mean, you know the officiating is bad when you look for who's officiating the game and if you see a few certain names (Dick Bavetta, Violet Palmer, Dick Javie, Joey Crawford, the other Crawford, and a couple of others), you KNOW the game will be officiated badly.

EDIT: Bill Simmons wrote an absolutely spot-on article about the officiating in the playoffs and how bad it's been. It's rare to see Simmons write a decent article nowadays, especially a great one like this.

Violet officially left today to work as Director of Officiating for teh West Coast conference after 12 year. good for her as she lasted that long in that league. She worked five Women's Final Fours before her hiring, so she should still know college hoops (since those who came directly into the NBA could never officiate a college or high school game in terms of rules or 2-person mechanics).

NBA officials are too old period. If FIFA makes referees retire at 45, the NFL and NFL could try to see if it is legal to "retire" or move officials. I know that it could be hard to do in terms of discrimination, but they have guys out there who are too d@mn old!

[TFoA]

Now all the pressure is on the Orlando Magic & the Master Of Panic!!!

They still have two chances. Your boys must win both games. Berzerker LeBron can't save you every game.

I didn't come hear talking sh** saying the Cavs were going to the finals. All I said was pressures on them to end this thing Saturday night. I don't care what happened in Boston they ain't winning if this thing goes to game 7.

The same thing was said going into that game 7 against Boston. Orlando's already won once in Cleveland this series, and is a miracle shot away from having done that twice. Another win in Cleveland is certainly possible.

Which is why even though I think Cleveland would win a game 7 in their place, I'm not gonna just write them off like every other expert I've seen if they lose game 6. This isn't the 2008 NBA Playoffs, teams are actually going into the other team's house and winning now.

With that said, congratulations to the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers for finally showing up. Especially Mo Williams. The main one talking for the Cavs and he waits until Game 5 to actually play well.

[tBBP]

I know right, Flame?

This whole series, the man been talking out the side of his neck...but ain't been doing much of sh.. to prove anything up til this past game. (And I still think of how this dude collapsed to the floor after the "Miracle Shot" ended game two...as if to say a thousand thank-yous to the basketball gods for "bailing our sorry arses out this time".

The Cavs don't match up well with the Magic, but somehow, they've continued to grow these ginormous leads in almost every game. THAT'S where Cleveland's issue is...they keep letting these ginormous leads slip. Hell, a piece of me is saying they should adopt Nolan Richardson's style from his Razorbacks college basketball teams and play forty (eight) minutes of hell on defense. Of course, even that might not stop Dwight Howard from doing what he gon' do, but still...

Ehh..we'll see what happens in this next game.

[Jigga]

Lakers 119, Nuggets 92. Lakers win series, 4-2. Back to the NBA Finals.

Let the crying begin.

[PittsburghSucks]

They got Kobe now lets see if the NBA refs make sure LeBron gets there (I wouldn't mind).

[TFoA]

I wouldn't put this on the refs. Well, maybe a little bit. The Nuggets basically let the officiating get into their heads, plus the Lakers finally strung together two consecutive good games past the first round. The Lakers proved why they were the best team in the west this year, and the Nuggets proved why people almost forgot that they were the two seed tonight.

[WJMorris3]

Congrats, Lakers... your coronation awaits, because we know that the NBA will never let you lose to the Cavs or Magic.

[PittsburghSucks]

I wouldn't put this on the refs. Well, maybe a little bit. The Nuggets basically let the officiating get into their heads, plus the Lakers finally strung together two consecutive good games past the first round. The Lakers proved why they were the best team in the west this year, and the Nuggets proved why people almost forgot that they were the two seed tonight.

I didn't mean the refs had anything to do with the Lakers getting to the Finals. I just ment that the NBA got Kobe there. Now my thinking is will the refs try to strech the ECF to a game 7 so maybe they get their Kobe/LeBron Finals.

[The_Admiral]

It would serve that little demon David Stern right if it's Denver-Orlando.

That "little demon" is the reason anybody gives a damn about the NBA. Are you insinuating that David Stern has horns?

[Seadragon76]

It would serve that little demon David Stern right if it's Denver-Orlando.

That "little demon" is the reason anybody gives a damn about the NBA. Are you insinuating that David Stern has horns?

Not only that, he has a tail, cloven hoofs and little pitchfork made of the remains of the Seattle Supersonics.

[charger77]

I am a casual NBA fan. Now that the Pistons and now Billups is out, I really have zero rooting interest left. I'd rather the Lakers not win though. I guess Cleveland is the outsiders choice.

-Dan

[NJTank]

The Cavs will live on .....

In SI Jinx infamy

[PittsburghSucks]

Once again we Cleveland fans have been bamboozled!!!

Oh well, we're use to it by now.

Go Lakers!!!

[crashcarson15]

We. Are. Cursed.

People can say all they want about how the Cavs were one shot away from being swept. But you have to realize that the Magic are two shots away from being down 3-1 heading into Game 5. Normal Cleveland for ya. Ya know, I'll say this as a Cleveland fan that LeBron James should leave because it is impossible for a Cleveland team to win a championship. After the last few times here (Cavs in '07, Indians in '07, Browns just missing the playoffs in '07, Cavs in '09) I'm convinced that I might never see a Cleveland championship in my lifetime.

So with all that said, yes the Blue Jackets will be the next Ohio team to win a championship. Or the Reds.

[FiddySicks]

As disappointed as I am that Lebron won't win this year, I'm almost equally as excited for Dwight Howard. Besides Lebron (and Chauncy, but he's got a ring) I'd rather see nobody win a title more than him.

[Your Name Here]

Not that I care for Stan van Gundy or Dwight Howard or that punk ass J.J. Reddick, but I wouldn't root for the Lakers it they were playing Al Qaeda. It's time for the Magic Show.