NBA Playoffs

[Skitzle]

I'd like to see Memphis with Rudy Gay vs OKC, but I'd prefer to see how OKC does against a veteran crew in San Antonio. Either way, SA dodged a bullet with that Gary Neal 3, wow, what a huge shot.

Ah yes... They are sans-Gay... thats a good point. Should be a good series either way. Much more interesting than Lakers / Mavs.

Celtics Heat will be a good series as well, but something tells me the Heat are going to have a very tough time coming out on top.

[darjum]

Ah yes... They are sans-Gay... thats a good point. Should be a good series either way. Much more interesting than Lakers / Mavs.

Celtics Heat will be a good series as well, but something tells me the Heat are going to have a very tough time coming out on top.

It's so difficult to get a grip on the Heat. I felt going in they were the favorite to win the title; something about having a back to back MVP and a Finals MVP on the court at the same time!

The Heat have to hold court in the first two games, if they give the Celts a sniff, then it's over. But if they run the C's off the court in G1 & 2 then they will win the series. In addition Mario Chalmers has to focus all of his energy on blocking up Rondo's space. Rondo shouldn't be allowed to breathe unmolested in this series...but knowing the Heat they'll probably just throw a party for him on South Beach, too much work otherwise

Can't wait for the 2nd round, the East is great, the West is interesting. Enjoy.

P.S. Daniel Ewing was one of my all-time fav Dukies. To this day I have no idea why he didn't make it in the pros as a back-up guard. Can't wait for the next Texas based guard to come to Duke in Rasheed.

[jdk]

Great great great game in San Antonio last night. Thought it was over when Manu's shot was ruled a two. Holy crap, the Spurs dodged a bullet there.

I still think they are done this series, but Memphis better blow them out of the water early. Tim Duncan may be playing his last game. As they say on the Spurs board, it was a nice dynasty to have in between lockouts.

[Skitzle]

It's so difficult to get a grip on the Heat. I felt going in they were the favorite to win the title; something about having a back to back MVP and a Finals MVP on the court at the same time!

The Heat have to hold court in the first two games, if they give the Celts a sniff, then it's over. But if they run the C's off the court in G1 & 2 then they will win the series. In addition Mario Chalmers has to focus all of his energy on blocking up Rondo's space. Rondo shouldn't be allowed to breathe unmolested in this series...but knowing the Heat they'll probably just throw a party for him on South Beach, too much work otherwise

Can't wait for the 2nd round, the East is great, the West is interesting. Enjoy.

P.S. Daniel Ewing was one of my all-time fav Dukies. To this day I have no idea why he didn't make it in the pros as a back-up guard. Can't wait for the next Texas based guard to come to Duke in Rasheed.

I look at the Heat and I think MAN I wish they had a first round pick. Nolan Smith would be the PERFECT player for that team...

Daniel Ewing also one of my all-time Favs (which you can guess by the avatar). He never got to play in a role that suited him. (He was not meant to be a PG his senior year). His mustache however is first rate.

[Skitzle]

Great great great game in San Antonio last night. Thought it was over when Manu's shot was ruled a two. Holy crap, the Spurs dodged a bullet there.

I still think they are done this series, but Memphis better blow them out of the water early. Tim Duncan may be playing his last game. As they say on the Spurs board, it was a nice dynasty to have in between lockouts.

Funny. The Ginoblie shot reminded me of the Fisher Shot that the Spurs lost too so many years ago. (The falling away ridiculous shot that leads to a game win...) What goes around comes around?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TdZHffwOF8

[Billy Dat]

RE: The Heat. I don't think enough people are focused on the quality defense they play. They REALLY protect the rim with guys like Joel Anthony. And, being able to put the ball in Wade's hands down the stretch is hugely valuable. The Celtics have their number, but Bosh is really coming on and may negate that Boston frontcourt advantage.

RE: 76ers. What a fun, young team to watch. I love Elton in the elder statesman leader role, the guy who just wants to win, shows the youngins how hard they need to play. They have quite a nucleus, I hope they keep developing.

RE: Durant. Good god, man, who has a prettier shot than Kevin Durant? It literally threatens to not even move the net when it swishes, that's how pure it is. Plus, we're not talking about a shooting specialist, we're talking about one of the 5 best players in the game...at 6'9"...he is amazing to watch when he gets it rolling. Last night was a legend building performance.

RE: Spurs. Count me in as someone who is sick of watching them. I am sick of Duncan's bug eyed "what...foul on me?" looks that rival Rasheed Wallace, I am sick of Popovich's disgusted smirk when he's asked a question...I wish they'd go away. But, last night was huge and I think Memphis may be in a heap of trouble. You never want to let a champ off the deck when you have your foot on their throat. I hope that was the Spurs last stand.

[Billy Dat]

I didn't see the end of the Griz/Spurs game and only today am I seeing the consensus that Shane was to blame for the defensive breakdown that led to the Gary Neal 3.

http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/04/28/wa...ee/#more-13954

[superdave]

I didn't see the end of the Griz/Spurs game and only today am I seeing the consensus that Shane was to blame for the defensive breakdown that led to the Gary Neal 3.

http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/04/28/wa...ee/#more-13954

Shane should have stayed above the 3 point line, but OJ Mayo also overplayed Gary Neal when he caught the ball and quickly became out of position once Neal took a dribble and elevated. Neal actually mentioned Mayo's overplay in the press conference. So I think both mis-played it.

[jv001]

I didn't see the end of the Griz/Spurs game and only today am I seeing the consensus that Shane was to blame for the defensive breakdown that led to the Gary Neal 3.

http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/04/28/wa...ee/#more-13954

No way I can blame anything that goes wrong on Shane, lol. He's in my top 5 all time Duke players. But I see what you're talking about. Just can't seem to think anything negative about Shane and Grant. GoGuke!

[AluminumDuke]

RE: Spurs. Count me in as someone who is sick of watching them. I am sick of Duncan's bug eyed "what...foul on me?" looks that rival Rasheed Wallace, I am sick of Popovich's disgusted smirk when he's asked a question...I wish they'd go away. But, last night was huge and I think Memphis may be in a heap of trouble. You never want to let a champ off the deck when you have your foot on their throat. I hope that was the Spurs last stand.

These are precisely the types of comments that people make about Duke. If a team is successful for very long, people become sick of them. Once there, the looks of the players' and coaches' become targets. Yes, Duncan questions even obvious fouls called on him. Hardly unique in the NBA. Yes, Popovich smirks. But he also shows a lot of class in always crediting the opposing team in a loss and deflecting credit for his wins.

I fully understand that people don't find them to be an exciting team to watch, and thus don't appreciate their consistent success. But you have to admit that, relative to that success, they're hardly over-exposed.

[Billy Dat]

No way I can blame anything that goes wrong on Shane, lol. He's in my top 5 all time Duke players. But I see what you're talking about. Just can't seem to think anything negative about Shane and Grant. GoGuke!

Apparantly, Steve Alford's New Castle high school team lost a huge state playoff game during his career when he missed not 1 but 2 consecutive free throws with no time left. 1 would have tied the game. The lede of the big story in the local paper the next day was, "Well...Ida lost the farm". That's about how I feel whenever Shane is viewed to have made a defensive mistake.

[TheItinerantSon]

well thats not even the issue, the real mistake was battier forgetting that you can inbounds behind the half court line and failing to pass to a streaking, uncovered OJ Mayo.

If he had, the spurs wouldnt have been able to even foul before the end of regulation.

Anyway, getting an extra Home game is good for a small market team like Memphis. And with any luck they'll be able to finish the spurs on friday night.

[kong123]

These are precisely the types of comments that people make about Duke. If a team is successful for very long, people become sick of them. Once there, the looks of the players' and coaches' become targets. Yes, Duncan questions even obvious fouls called on him. Hardly unique in the NBA. Yes, Popovich smirks. But he also shows a lot of class in always crediting the opposing team in a loss and deflecting credit for his wins.

I fully understand that people don't find them to be an exciting team to watch, and thus don't appreciate their consistent success. But you have to admit that, relative to that success, they're hardly over-exposed.

I was thinking the same thing when I read his comment. He could be a college basketball fan talking about Duke. Just a fan being a fan.

[Billy Dat]

These are precisely the types of comments that people make about Duke. If a team is successful for very long, people become sick of them. Once there, the looks of the players' and coaches' become targets. Yes, Duncan questions even obvious fouls called on him. Hardly unique in the NBA. Yes, Popovich smirks. But he also shows a lot of class in always crediting the opposing team in a loss and deflecting credit for his wins.

I fully understand that people don't find them to be an exciting team to watch, and thus don't appreciate their consistent success. But you have to admit that, relative to that success, they're hardly over-exposed.

Don't get me wrong, I respect the Spurs, admire what they've been able to accomplish in a small market with savvy drafting and free agent signings (winning the lottery twice and getting 2 HOFers as a result didn't hurt) blardy blardy blar. At least with Duke, guys graduate and new faces come in (save for the coaches). I guess I should hail the Spurs as providing Duke with its only NBA title ring (Ferry).

[sagegrouse]

Apparantly, Steve Alford's New Castle high school team lost a huge state playoff game during his career when he missed not 1 but 2 consecutive free throws with no time left. 1 would have tied the game. The lede of the big story in the local paper the next day was, "Well...Ida lost the farm". That's about how I feel whenever Shane is viewed to have made a defensive mistake.

In 2001 at Duke against UNC, Shane fouled Brendan Haywood in the open court at the end of a tie game. La Brenda made the FTs and Duke lost 83-85. The surprise in Shane's making a mistake at a critical juncture has enabled me to retain the memory ten years later.

sagegrouse

[jimsumner]

Don't get me wrong, I respect the Spurs, admire what they've been able to accomplish in a small market with savvy drafting and free agent signings (winning the lottery twice and getting 2 HOFers as a result didn't hurt) blardy blardy blar. At least with Duke, guys graduate and new faces come in (save for the coaches). I guess I should hail the Spurs as providing Duke with its only NBA title ring (Ferry).

Jeff Mullins won a ring with Golden State in 1975, I believe.

[phaedrus]

well thats not even the issue, the real mistake was battier forgetting that you can inbounds behind the half court line and failing to pass to a streaking, uncovered OJ Mayo.

If he had, the spurs wouldnt have been able to even foul before the end of regulation.

Anyway, getting an extra Home game is good for a small market team like Memphis. And with any luck they'll be able to finish the spurs on friday night.

Plus, doesn't anyone remember when Tim "not a 3-point threat" Duncan did this?

One of the most surprising turns of events I remember seeing in the playoffs.

[JasonEvans]

Dunno if anyone is watching, but the Hawks and Magic are in a dogfight to see which team can give away this series the fastest. Whew, are they ever playing some butt ugly basketball!! No one can hit a shot.

--Jason "1 point game, midway through the 3rd quarter" Evans

[NSDukeFan]

Dunno if anyone is watching, but the Hawks and Magic are in a dogfight to see which team can give away this series the fastest. Whew, are they ever playing some butt ugly basketball!! No one can hit a shot.

--Jason "1 point game, midway through the 3rd quarter" Evans

Orlando scored 36 in the first half? Did they watch the Butler-UConn game for offensive inspiration?

[Billy Dat]

Jeff Mullins won a ring with Golden State in 1975, I believe.

Yeah...take that kong!!! Oh yeah, MJ has 6 rings by himself...and Worthy has a few...Kenny Smith...hmmmm....

Let's go BULLS!!!!!!!