[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I'll give P.J Brown credit for making huge plays. He was a Bull last season and man did he ever come through when we needed him. He always had that key rebound, big bucket, or defensive stop. That being said- PJ did not beat the cavs. The cleveland Cavaliers beat themselves. The cavs (with the exception of Lebron James) handed that game away. No one else helped. No one. It was a fucking joke. I don't know what those guys think. Lebron can't win every game by himself. No one stepped up. All the celtics had to do was play as a team and they would win. That's it. The cavs seriously need to invest in a real second option. I hear Corry Magette is a FA this summer.

I thought the Cavs played better in the second half... but you are right, guys like Big Z, D West should've played better in the first half to begin with.

Sure, CM is a FA this summer, but I don't think the Cavs can afford him at all without a sign and trade. Even then, who can they offer in such a trade? It's too bad, Cavs fans, but I think this team is as good as it gets, and LeBron should consider moving on by 2010.

Speaking of the Clippers, I don't know if I have mentioned this, but a sign and trade with the Wiz for Arenas is totally workable. They could offer Chris Kaman and any number of draft picks or players not named Brand. I think it would work for both teams, both in terms of winning and ticket sales, seriously.

[GH0STrider]

I disagree, I think that cavs team could be improved. They have a lot going for them. They have a great defensive unit already. They just need to improve their offense. They need a real second option. They can move guys like wallace, west, ect. Guys who's contracts are soon to expire within the next season or two. There is always the possibility that a great player will take a pay cut to play along side lebron. For some players winning a championship and the love of the game is more important than money. They could always trade up in the draft too. Maybe grap a lottery pick that might be good. I think when you have a player as good as lebron there is always players that want to play alongside the next great superstar. The cavs could always find a situation like the lakers had with memphis- where they got an allstar for nothing. Or a disgruntaled star pissed at his current team. There are always options. I think that cavs team could get better with smart managment.

[Azyiu]

Well, let's hope you are correct, but I have doubt in Danny Ferry. Plus, don't ever forget LeBron and Jay-Z are buddies...

[GH0STrider]

Dude, I'm just stating an opinion. The cavs are in the central division with my hopefully soon to be improved bulls. I want them to lose as often as possible.

[zimbloth]

I'd argue the Celtics almost beat themselves. They are a superior team than the Cavs. The fact they got NOTHING out of Ray Allen for 6 out of the 7 games and still won is nothing short of a miracle. The Cavs are a good team thanks to LeBron, but they had no business taking the C's to 7 games. The C's should feel very lucky they survived that.

I have to say I'm very nervous about the Detriot series. While I would not be surprised if we beat DET in 5, I also would not be surprised if we lost in 6 either. The road woes have been just deplorable.

[Azyiu]

Yeah, I am very surprised by Ray Allen's ineffectiveness thus far in the playoffs, not only in the Cavs series. Knowing the ECF is going to be a low scoring, all out defensive affair, I wonder how Allen is going to contribute; or where / how will he get his shots?


Out west, the much more experienced Spurs out lasted the up and coming Hornets. It feels a bit like the Pacers / Knicks in the 1994 ECF all over again. The more experienced Knicks came back from 2-3 and took the series in game 7.


As far as how we (the Lakers) match up against the Spurs, one of the main keys is Pau. (That is too obvious) But the main key is we must spread the floor and make the Spurs defense honest. I expect Pau to become more of a passer first in the high post. Or something in that regard to spread the floor for Kobe to do his things, while making TD stay honest on defense. Of course, having an LA-friendly clock operator in San Antonio will help alot too.

Like (sorry, Jeff )...





On defense though, rebounding is where I have some concerns. The Jazz badly out rebounded the Lakers, especially offensively. We cannot allow the Spurs to get that kind of second chances.




EDIT Congrats, Mr. Blackcock, you won the lottery! Oh, I mean the DRAFT Lottery!

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

The Cavs are a good team thanks to LeBron, but they had no business taking the C's to 7 games.

I have to say I'm very nervous about the Detriot series. While I would not be surprised if we beat DET in 5, I also would not be surprised if we lost in 6 either. The road woes have been just deplorable.

No business? dude- that team was the reigning eastern conference champs. that had every bit of business to take the celtics to the edge. The celtics aren't as good as they looked and it has been exposed here in the playoffs. YOu have to be able to win on the road. They can't do it. The cavs played hard and they deserved that series just as much as the celtics did. The cavs were very close to winning that. very close. I'd say a full year with all their new players and they probably would have won it.

I'd be scared out of my mind of the pistons too If I was a celtic's fan. Not only can they ( and will) win on the road, but going into the palace and winning it no easy task. If the celtics don't figure out their road troubles it's over. they'll be the 04-05 phoenix suns- a great turnaround but still coming up short.

[Azyiu]

Man, the Cs played very well tonight, and that is all I can say. They pretty much forced the Pistons to become a jump shooting team... got to give them credit for that.

[GH0STrider]

They played exactly the kind of basketball they need to in order to beat the pistons.

[Azyiu]

Totally. And the Pistons did not look comfortable at all. I am a bit surprised Sheed didn't seem to be able to even slow down KG, while KG somehow made him a back to the basket player; where Sheed is better when facing the basket.