2010 NBA Playoffs thread

[Quillz]

Okay, with that said, I think I'm ready. I'm braced for defeat (not really) but stoked at the thought of winning. Think about it, this is really it for the Celtics, barring miracles, another crazy KG-type deal, or LeBron signing. This is really for all the marbles and for all you basketball haters, this is what the NBA is all about. I think anyone, even non-basketball fans, should watch and would enjoy this series, and I know Jigga agrees with me. So there.

I disagree. Sure, this is probably going to be the swan song of the current Celtics lineup, but, like the Lakers and Yankees, the name alone tends to attract talent. Storied franchises like the Celtics will always be good, in between dry spells, because up-and-coming players will want to be part of such a storied and successful franchise. It's one of the reasons the Yankees are as good as they are... Sure, they have the cash, but there are also baseball player who *WANT* to play for the Yankees and no one else. And in the NBA, it's the same. You have some guys who want to play in LA, Boston or bust.

[Quillz]

I guarantee that LeBron James will be going to Los Angeles next year....you can book it.

In fact, he'll be going to LA twice! Every team plays at least a home-and-home with every other team.

I've always felt LeBron going to the Clippers made sense for a few reasons.

1) Legacy. Let's face it... The Clippers don't have it, or they have the legacy of the wrong kind. LeBron going to the Clippers would be like Jordan on the Bulls... A franchise that previously didn't have much, and needed "that guy" to change everything about the franchise. LeBron could do that for the Clippers. Turn a franchise that has had six winning seasons in its entire history into a perennial championship contender. Sure, it doesn't happen overnight, but LeBron on the Clippers would make the team a playoff contender almost instantly.

2) The Clippers are certainly D-League compared to the Lakers, but they still play in a huge market, and you'd be surprised just how popular the Clippers are around here. They don't sell out every game the way the Lakers do, but the Clippers have always had a loyal following. Especially during the rare years when they do better than the Lakers. If the NBA wanted LeBron in a large market, why not LA? Maybe it's not quite as big as Boswash or NYC, but LA is still the second biggest media market in the country and LeBron would be going to a city that has the Lakers and UCLA. A city that bleeds basketball legacy.

3) In addition to making his mark onto a team that has no legacy to speak of, LeBron would also have a supporting cast that is quite decent. I feel that if the Clippers played in the Eastern Conference, they'd be playoff calibur. They really do have a very decent roster, and one thing that they could hugely benefit from is a true team leader/superstar, a role LeBron would be perfect for. Sure, team chemistry is important, but it's all part of the building process. I feel with Griffin coming next season and an already decent roster, adding LeBron could make the Clippers a very good team.

Pipe dream, I suppose, but it makes sense to me. The Clippers are like any other franchise, really: They can be great if they are willing to do what it takes to go after the great players.

[Still MIGHTY]

1 win down, 3 to go

Now I know that the statistical odds are now incredibly stacked for the Lakers. Phil Jackson is 47-0 in the playoffs after winning Game 1. Game 1 winners win 73% of NBA Finals. But remembering that 2008 series, especially the Game 4 comeback by the Celtics, I will not be satisfied or content until this thing is done.

Even though the Lakers controlled most of the game, and led since the opening minutes to Kobe's final 3-pointer (which was awesome btw), I was never putting a fork in it. I was steady, I guess, but still not satisfied. They maintained their lead, and even let the Celtics knock it down to 10 points late, but they never really pulled away. I was waiting for the Lakers to pull away, but the Celtics were still there. And that is one of the things that scares me about the series and the freaking Celtics over this 3-year run. They hang around and always have the opportunity and the ability to pull back.

But like I said, I will not be completely in the comfort zone until the Lakers win 4 games. And I want a beatdown at some point against the Celtics. I want to see a little more nastiness and retribution. You had a little bit with Artest and Pierce in the opening minute, but that's not enough.

A few more notes:

- I love watching Paul Pierce pout. That's a fun hobby

- I agree with the Celtics population on one thing in this game, What the hell was going on with these refs? I know they want to keep things under

control, I guess, but there is no way that the whole series can be run like that. The refs need to loosen up. I'd rather have no fouls than the amount of fouls called tonight

- And, what the hell Chris Rock? What exactly were you trying to do there? haha. Kobe is in the zone right now, and is more focused on the ultimate goal than I've seen him in a long time. Kobe's got that look and attitude right now that is unbreakable.

GO LAKE SHOW!

GET GAME TWO!

[Quillz]

I wish the NBA today was what it was like back in the 80s, during the Showtime era: fewer fouls, more play. Basketball used to be a lot rougher. There were still technicals, sure, but they weren't called every time someone made a mean face at the ref. It used to be you could really rough your opponent up quite a bit. Today, you breathe on the guy and it's a foul.

Lakers are looking a lot tougher this time around, though. And while they didn't pull away in this game, they also never let the Celtics get much closer than 8-10 points. I think they'll win in five or six.

[rainmaker17]

Again...Lakers fans suck.

[Lights Out]

Pipe dream, I suppose, but it makes sense to me. The Clippers are like any other franchise, really: They can be great if they are willing to do what it takes to go after the great players.

And before anyone says they don't because "they're the Clippers" (solid reasoning there), remember how in the past decade, they've traded for Elton Brand pre-injuries, signed Sam Cassell, signed Baron Davis, really pursued Kobe back in '04, and drafted Blake Griffin. They actually do go after players with talent. The problem these past few years has been coaching, plain and simple - we haven't had a coach good enough to lead us to a lot of wins, or motivational enough to prevent the team from quitting on season after season.

- I love watching Paul Pierce pout. That's a fun hobby

Me too... almost as great as watching your boy Kobe pout!

[LMU]

Heard a joke on the radio yesterday that to inspire his team, Pierce will come out at halftime during Game 3 wearing a hospital gown and wheeling in an IV tree.

[Brass]

Heard a joke on the radio yesterday that to inspire his team, Pierce will come out at halftime during Game 3 wearing a hospital gown and wheeling in an IV tree.

He will then look at Pau Gasol from across the arena, and Gasol will proceed to yell and fall over.

[PurpleRush]

Though I know better than to doubt the Celtics...this series may be as good as over. Phil Jackson has NEVER lost a series in which his team won Game 1. The Lakers won Game 1.

Last year against the Magic, the Celts were up 3-2 in games.

Boston was 32-0 in series in which they led 3-2.

How did that work out for them?

In 1969, no NBA team had lost a series after winning games 1 and 2 on their home floor.

The Lakers did, over the 4th seeded eastern champion Celtics.

Ask Jerry West what happened after that.

90% of statistics can be manipulated to help anyone's statements.

(See what I did there?)

You can doubt the Celtics, just do it based on their play.

[TFoA]

#1: Consider the circumstances: No KG, rest of the team was banged up, Dwight Howard finally decided to be Superman, the demise was imminent in that series if the Magic won Game 6 of that series.

#2: lol, 1969.

#3: I understand, but this ain't the Celtics dealing with a team that "woke up" all of a sudden, nor a team that gives a damn about what happened in 1969. This is the 2010 Lakers, coached by Phil "If I get a series lead, I never lose and have 10 championships to prove it" Jackson and Kobe "I'm not gonna get punked out like I did in 2008" Bryant.

Just saying.

[Still MIGHTY]

Again...Lakers fans suck.

Care to expand?

Pipe dream, I suppose, but it makes sense to me. The Clippers are like any other franchise, really: They can be great if they are willing to do what it takes to go after the great players.

And before anyone says they don't because "they're the Clippers" (solid reasoning there), remember how in the past decade, they've traded for Elton Brand pre-injuries, signed Sam Cassell, signed Baron Davis, really pursued Kobe back in '04, and drafted Blake Griffin. They actually do go after players with talent. The problem these past few years has been coaching, plain and simple - we haven't had a coach good enough to lead us to a lot of wins, or motivational enough to prevent the team from quitting on season after season.

- I love watching Paul Pierce pout. That's a fun hobby

Me too... almost as great as watching your boy Kobe pout!

Again, I strangely admire your steadfastness and blind passion in backing the Clippers so fervently, but seriously dude, just go away for the Finals. You can postulate proudly on the "Clippers great moves in the past decade" (Elton Brand - still got injured, Sam Cassell - O! O! A Playoff series win in 05!, Kobe - pursued, but did not get, Blake Griffin - broken knee cap) and how great they "could" be if they got LeBron in the Lebron/Offseason thread. But this is a thread for competitive teams with realistic championship goals at this point.

You can take your oh so intimidating hate and "trash talk" elsewhere for now.

Heard a joke on the radio yesterday that to inspire his team, Pierce will come out at halftime during Game 3 wearing a hospital gown and wheeling in an IV tree.

He will then look at Pau Gasol from across the arena, and Gasol will proceed to yell and fall over.

Followed by KG cursing like raging sailor and snapping his neck on the nearest backboard support padding

[NJTank]

And next year, when LeBron comes to LA, we'll all be chanting this in the Finals:

CLIPPER NATION!

More like Clipper Village.

Clipper Nation?

Clipper Village?

Clipper Household?

HA HA

More like Clippers Guest house?

They are sports answer to Kato Kalin.

[infrared41]

And next year, when LeBron comes to LA, we'll all be chanting this in the Finals:

CLIPPER NATION!

More like Clipper Village.

Clipper Nation?

Clipper Village?

Clipper Household?

HA HA

More like Clippers Guest house?

They are sports answer to Kato Kalin.

You should have stopped at guest house Francis.

[crashcarson15]

And next year, when LeBron comes to LA, we'll all be chanting this in the Finals:

CLIPPER NATION!

More like Clipper Village.

And Lights Out is the Village Idiot.

[gingerbreadmann]

Let's just hope... this reversed!

1985 NBA Finals

Game 1	May 27	Los Angeles Lakers	114	@ Boston Celtics	148
Game 2	May 30	Los Angeles Lakers	109	@ Boston Celtics	102
Game 3	June 2	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	136
Game 4	June 5	Boston Celtics	107	@ Los Angeles Lakers	105
Game 5	June 7	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	120
Game 6	June 9	Los Angeles Lakers	111	@ Boston Celtics	100

[infrared41]

Let's just hope... this reversed!

1985 NBA Finals

Game 1	May 27	Los Angeles Lakers	114	@ Boston Celtics	148
Game 2	May 30	Los Angeles Lakers	109	@ Boston Celtics	102
Game 3	June 2	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	136
Game 4	June 5	Boston Celtics	107	@ Los Angeles Lakers	105
Game 5	June 7	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	120
Game 6	June 9	Los Angeles Lakers	111	@ Boston Celtics	100

Now that was basketball kids. Magic and Kareem. Bird and McHale. Worthy, Parrish, Cooper, DJ. It's never ever going to be better than that.

What a great finals that was. (not so much for the games as much as I was a Kareem/Lakers fan back then and I really hated the Celtics.)

[NJTank]

Let's just hope... this reversed!

1985 NBA Finals

Game 1	May 27	Los Angeles Lakers	114	@ Boston Celtics	148
Game 2	May 30	Los Angeles Lakers	109	@ Boston Celtics	102
Game 3	June 2	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	136
Game 4	June 5	Boston Celtics	107	@ Los Angeles Lakers	105
Game 5	June 7	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	120
Game 6	June 9	Los Angeles Lakers	111	@ Boston Celtics	100

Now that was basketball kids. Magic and Kareem. Bird and McHale. Worthy, Parrish, Cooper, DJ. It's never ever going to be better than that.

What a great finals that was. (not so much for the games as much as I was a Kareem/Lakers fan back then and I really hated the Celtics.)

Back than I was a Celtics fan (Danny Ainge is still my all time favorite player) and really hated the Lakers, and even though now I a Nets fan I still really hate the Lakers.

[dfwabel]

While I loved The NBA Finals up until 1988 and the Pistons should have won, the 2-3-2 really hurts the series overall.

In this current series, Kobe will get his 24-30+ points, but it more important on his shooting percentage to make a difference to the Celtics. He shot 50% in game !. That is a death sentence for BOS.

[MDC]

Bulls have found a coach

Tom Thibodeau, currently an assistant for the Celtics, has accepted the offer for the Bulls job. I like this move, its basically admitting the mistake of firing Scott Skiles. Thibodeau is a defensive specialist, something that is welcome for me after watching players like Deng pretend to play defense

[TFoA]

Let's just hope... this reversed!

1985 NBA Finals

Game 1	May 27	Los Angeles Lakers	114	@ Boston Celtics	148
Game 2	May 30	Los Angeles Lakers	109	@ Boston Celtics	102
Game 3	June 2	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	136
Game 4	June 5	Boston Celtics	107	@ Los Angeles Lakers	105
Game 5	June 7	Boston Celtics	111	@ Los Angeles Lakers	120
Game 6	June 9	Los Angeles Lakers	111	@ Boston Celtics	100

I just hope that will happen again someday. Both teams scoring at least 100 points a game in the Finals? THAT IS :censored:ING NBA BASKETBALL AT ITS BEST.