[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

The Hawks really just weren't as bad as people think and they played above their heads. When guys like Josh Smith who shoot 18% from 15 feet and out all of a sudden shoots lights out, what can you do?

I really feel like the Hawks presented certain matchup problems and a style of play that gave the C's some trouble, I don't think you can say that will translate against the Cavs or Detriot who are half-court slow it down teams. I certainly think the Cavs could give us problems, but I wouldn't be surprised if we won in 5 either. Who knows, every series is its own entity.

Totally agree. I think the hawks should have been much better than a 37 win club. They need a coach with more experience running the show. They have so much talent on that roster and man did it show. The cavs aren't as young and athletic like the hawks but they have one of the best all around players in lebron. Then again so do the celtics in KG. It should be interesting. I think the cavs have vets that won't repeat some of the mistakes the hawks made. I think this will be more of a grind it out series kind of what like what we saw last year in the conference finals between detroit and cleveland. I like the celtics in 7 though. I think they are just all around a more talented team. But I don't count out the experience and veteran savy cavs. It really could go either way. I just want detroit out of the playoffs asap (my mortal enemies, ) I think both the cavs and celtics could do the job.

[kung_fu]

Sad week for Raptors fans. Play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky called it quits . Apparently he'll be going back to Chicago to do Radio and be with his family. I hope to god Rod Black doesn't take over for him .

No more "salami and cheese"

[Azyiu]

I know for some the play-by-play man is very important, but if I were you, I would worry more about what the coaching situation might be for the Raptors. Although Mitchell is signed for another 3 years, but you now have good coaches out in the market in Avery Johnson and in some ways Mike D'Antoni. If I were a member of the ownership group, I would seriously consider buying out Mitchell's contract and see if we can get either one of them for the team. You must go for the best coach available when the opportunity presents itself...

[GH0STrider]

D'Antoni would be perfect for toronto and he already has the type of players he would need for his system to work. Although reports here in chicago say that he is a just the right dollar amount away from becoming the next bulls coach. He has said he wants to coach chicago really bad. I'm not to nuts about it personally, I want avery johnson. But hey at the very least he would get our team's offense going.

[Azyiu]

Maybe not so fast, Mr. Blackcock, the Knicks are interested in D'Antoni too, and they are willing to spend!

ESPN - Sources: Knicks could be competition with Bulls for D'Antoni - NBA

Check out this part of the story. Depends on how you look at it, the Bulls seem to want to lowball the next coach, whomever that might be.

If the Bulls are asked to respond to the Knicks' generosity by taking D'Antoni past the $5 million barrier annually, sources say Chicago could still decide that it's more prudent to pursue a more affordable coach with less experience like Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau, who is widely credited with providing the schemes that helped Kevin Garnett transform the Celtics' defense this season.

[GH0STrider]

Low ball? dude If the knicks want to grossly overpay him then let them. I don't blame pax. I wouldn't pay 5-6 mill for d'antoni either. besides the knicks roster is no where near what it needs to be for his system to work. Besides you know what donnie walsh is going to realize? Oh shit- I gave this guy 6 mil and the team still sucks. The bulls want to make a good deal both for them and the coach. That is not low balling, that is smart business. I still want avery johnson anyhow. That is a guy who understands the importance of both ends of the floor. The knicks already suck hard at defending. It makes no sense to throw a coach who doesn't even mention the word. Someone tell Walsh that the idea is to improve on your weaknesses, not take more steps back.

[Azyiu]

Hey, relax, Mr.Blackcock, that's why I said it could go either way, depends on how you view this. For me, I based my opinion on the current average coaches' salary, which is around 4 and 5 million per year. For someone like D'Antoni, whether you like him or not, I think he is worth at least 6.

Sure, I understand NO ONE, not even Jesus (ok, maybe he can) can make a winner out of this current Knicks' roster. In fact, the Knicks is at least a 2-year project for whomever gonna coach them next, along w/ the necessary roster changes made by Walsh. So if Walsh wants the Knicks to play an uptempo style in a few years, hiring a master in that style like D'Antoni is a reasonable bet.

The way I see the Bulls (of course you might know better than I do), they ALREADY have the right guys playing in that kind of game, so if I am Paxson, I would seriously consider D'Antoni.

[Azyiu]

While I think the Jazz played well enough in game 3, I honestly think the Lakers lost the game instead of getting beat.


They were up 8 pts in the 1st qtr and the Jazz looked confused, until Fisher got his 2nd foul. After that the Lakers' O got no flow at all, and the Jazz slowly came back. The 10 first half TOs hurt them and they never recovered.
In all, they were right there with less than 3 minutes to go and down by only 3 pts. Then Kobe just got impatient and shot a terrible 3s that missed badly, and that was pretty much ball game right there... if the Lakers can cut down on their TOs in game 4, they are in good shape of winning that one. The Jazz can't really beat the Lakers.


Oh, and what is up with those fans booing Fisher? That only makes me wanted to beat the Jazz more!

[progmetaldan]

Could someone please give me a quick update, on who's still in the playoffs? Unfortunately we don't get much coverage here in Aus...

Cheers...

[GH0STrider]

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