Author Topic: NBA '07  (Read 34458 times)

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Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #270 on: May 05, 2007 at 11:48 AM »
Nets advance by winning an exciting see-saw game against the Raptors.  Next up is Cleveland!

Nice year for the Raptors... they gained a valuable experience in the first round that will only make them hungrier next year.  With the core of Bosh, Bargnani, Parker and Ford... I expect them to make more noise next year.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2007 at 11:49 AM by X-Ran »

Offline Wiggum

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #271 on: May 05, 2007 at 08:58 PM »
EDIT: Another capsule preview from the Associated Press:

--------------------------------------------------

A look at the matchups in the second round of the NBA playoffs, which begin Saturday (with regular-season record, first-round series mark in parentheses):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 DETROIT PISTONS (53-29, 4-0) vs. No. 5 CHICAGO BULLS (49-33, 4-0)

Season Series: Bulls, 3-1, winning the season series for the first time since 1998 and missing a sweep only because Chris Webber tipped in a missed shot with 2.2 seconds left in Detroit's 95-93 home victory on Feb. 25. The Pistons were held to fewer than 90 points in all three losses. Luol Deng averaged 22.7 points in Chicago's victories and Ben Wallace grabbed 33 rebounds in the two wins in which he played, only eight in the loss.

Storyline: A pair of first-round sweeps gave the Central Division rivals plenty of time off before Wallace's return to Detroit. The former Pistons center signed with Chicago as a free agent last summer, then helped the Bulls win a playoff series for the first time since Michael Jordan's final season in Chicago.

Key matchup I: Webber vs. Wallace. Wallace's rebounding and defense were the catalysts for Detroit's recent Eastern Conference powerhouses. But with the Pistons becoming more offensive minded under Flip Saunders, Webber is in some ways a better fit because of his passing and outside shooting ability.

Key matchup II: Tayshaun Prince vs. Luol Deng. Miami couldn't guard Deng, who averaged 26.3 points and shot 58 percent from the field in the first round. But the Heat had nobody as good as Prince, a second-team all-defensive pick who has plenty of postseason experience guarding the opponent's top offensive threat.

X-factor: Wallace's free-throw shooting. Big Ben was so bad from the line in the 2006 playoffs - making just 27 percent - that he became an offensive liability in the conference finals loss to Miami. So, the Pistons must have been stunned to see him deal the Heat's repeat hopes a final blow by going 7-for-8 in Game 4 of Chicago's sweep.

Prediction: Bulls in 7.

---

No. 2 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (50-32, 4-0) vs. No. 6 NEW JERSEY NETS (41-41, 4-2).

Season Series: Cavaliers, 2-1, winning their two home games. LeBron James averaged 30.3 points for the Cavs, who won 94-76 on April 12 after the first two meetings were decided by a combined seven points. Vince Carter scored 27.3 per game for New Jersey, but Jason Kidd shot only 36 percent and Richard Jefferson 35 while combining to average just 21.3 points.

Storyline: Cleveland fell just short of the conference finals last year in James' first playoffs, losing to Detroit in seven games. Hope to advance further this time with home-court advantage and plenty of rest after a first-round sweep of Washington. New Jersey had strong finish to regular season and is confident with trio of Kidd, Vince Carter and Jefferson all healthy.

Key Matchup I: Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs. Jason Collins. Excellent first round for 'Z,' who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field. Collins provides almost no offense, but did a good job against Toronto's Chris Bosh in the first round and has matched up with plenty of top centers in recent postseasons.

Key Matchup II: Drew Gooden vs. Mikki Moore. With so much attention focused on the All-Star perimeter players, whoever controls the interior will have a clear advantage. Gooden shot 61 percent in the first round while averaging 14.5 points and 10 rebounds. Moore shot 60.9 percent this season, leading the NBA.

X-factor: Bostjan Nachbar. With Kidd's passing and Carter and Jefferson's slashing, Nachbar will have plenty of open looks when he comes off New Jersey's bench. He made 41 percent of his 3-point attempts in the first round - and that's including an 0-for-7 night in a Game 5 loss.

Prediction: Nets in 6.

---

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 2 PHOENIX SUNS (61-21, 4-1) vs. No. 3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (58-24, 4-1)

Season Series: Spurs, 2-1, with the home team winning each time. Spurs held Amare Stoudemire to 15.5 points per game in their two wins, but he had 24 points and 23 rebounds in the lone Phoenix victory. Tim Duncan averaged 22.7 points and 14 rebounds, and Tony Parker scored 28 points per game. Steve Nash had only seven assists in San Antonio's 92-85 victory last month, one of the Suns' worst offensive performances of the season.

Storyline: With Dallas running away with the league's best record, the teams with the second- and third-best records are forced to meet in a second-round clash of styles. With all-defensive team selections Duncan and Bruce Bowen, San Antonio has the personnel to slow the Suns' league-best offense. The Spurs overpowered Phoenix in five games in the 2005 conference finals, but the Suns want credit for how much their defense has improved - and now is their chance to earn it.

Key matchup I: Stoudemire vs. Duncan. The Spurs couldn't stop Stoudemire in the playoff series two years ago, as he averaged 37 points and scored 42 in Game 5. Duncan and whoever else San Antonio uses this time will surely make things tougher, and the Suns never proved they could contain Duncan at the other end this season.

Key matchup II: Leandro Barbosa vs. Manu Ginobili. A pair of game changers who finished 1-2 in voting for league's sixth man award. Barbosa averaged 21.2 points in the first-round victory over the Lakers, but his speed may be more important this time on the defensive end if Nash struggles to keep up with Parker.

X-factor: Boris Diaw. In a fairly disappointing season for the 2006 Most Improved Player, Diaw scored 16 points in the lone Phoenix win but totaled 10 points on 4-for-17 shooting in the other two games. If San Antonio is successful in keeping it a half-court game, Diaw could have an important role.

Prediction: Suns in 7.

---

No. 4 UTAH JAZZ (51-31, 4-2) vs. No. 8 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (42-40, 4-2)

Season Series: Tied, 2-2, though two meetings came back in November, long before the Warriors remade their team and their style in their trade with Indiana. Stephen Jackson averaged 22 points in the two games he played for Golden State. Carlos Boozer had three double-doubles for Utah, including a 25-point, 21-rebound game in one Jazz victory, but was held to four points and 10 boards in a loss.

Storyline: After knocking off the Dallas Mavericks, who had the league's best record, in perhaps the biggest upset in NBA playoff history, the eighth-seeded Warriors move on to face the Northwest Division champions, who are in the second round for the first time since 2000.

Key matchup I: Deron Williams vs. Baron Davis. Strong second season keeps getting better for Williams, who nearly made the All-Star team, will have a chance to make the U.S. national team, and had 20 points and 14 assists in Utah's Game 7 victory over Houston. Davis has been perhaps the best all-around player in the playoffs while scoring 25 points per game, but was held to two points in one game against Utah and missed another. He averaged 19.5 points in the two late-season meetings.

Key matchup II: Jason Richardson vs. Andrei Kirilenko. Kirilenko's confidence is up and down, but Richardson's is soaring after he averaged 19.5 points and shot 51 percent in the first round. Utah will have to figure out a way to deal with his athleticism, and Kirilenko might be the best bet because of his versatility.

X-factor: Al Harrington. Shot only 26 percent as his playing time rapidly diminished in the first round. But he scored 27 points in one game and had 15 points and 11 boards in the other against Utah after Golden State acquired him, so maybe Don Nelson gives him another chance in this series, especially since Warriors have few options against Boozer.

Prediction: Warriors in 6.

« Last Edit: May 07, 2007 at 07:51 AM by Wiggum »
We deserve better.

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #272 on: May 06, 2007 at 06:04 PM »
My Fearless Predictions for the First Round:
================================

Dallas Mavericks over Golden State Warriors (4-1) - wrong winner
LA Lakers over Phoenix Suns (4-2) - wrong winner
SA Spurs over Denver Nuggets (4-3) - right winner - wrong # of games
Houston Rockets over Utah Jazz (4-3) - wrong winner

Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic (4-2) - right winner - wrong # of games
Cleveland Cavaliers over Washington Wizards (4-1) - right winner - wrong # of games
NJ Nets over Toronto Raptors (4-2) - right - right
Miami Heat over Chicago Bulls (4-3) - wrong winner

Only got 4 out of 8 (50%) for correct winning team... Only got 1 out of 4 (25%) correct # of games

My Fearless Predictions for the Second Round:
==================================
Utah Jazz over Golden State Warriors (4-2)
Phoenix Suns over SA Spurs (4-1)

Detroit Pistons over Chicago Bulls (4-2)
NJ Nets over Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2)

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #273 on: May 06, 2007 at 06:14 PM »
i'd like to see the warrios get sweep by the jazz, adding more insult to the mavs

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #274 on: May 06, 2007 at 06:27 PM »
i'd like to see the warrios get sweep by the jazz, adding more insult to the mavs

That would be good, too!  But I think that the adrenaline rush from the upset will carry over to enable the Warriors to win a game or two in their homecourt.  The Warriors would have been better off had Houston won.  Utah's defense is the one that won them the first round and their players can run with the Warriors.  Utah, Phoenix and San Antonio should thank Nellie for getting rid of the Mavs!  ;D

Offline dobler

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #275 on: May 06, 2007 at 10:54 PM »


 ;D

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #276 on: May 07, 2007 at 09:15 AM »
everybody's talking about amare in the spurs-suns series, that he's older, better, more mature this time, that he averaged 37ppg before vs duncan.

well after game 1... amare was just 20-18, still very impressive, on 6-19 shooting. duncan 33-16 on 12-24 fg.

it also helps that parker scored 32 pts, and nash having a bloody nose missing a crucial 45 secs...



obviously, im not an amare fan  ;D  go spurs!

Offline Battousai

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #277 on: May 07, 2007 at 10:32 AM »
Pity that Nash got his nose busted open. You wouldn't want to see that happen to any athlete, especially not at this important stage of the playoffs.

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #278 on: May 10, 2007 at 12:10 PM »
jazz is doing what the mavs cant do, now up 2-0. deron williams is playing very well against baron davis. can't believe this kid is just a soph in his first playoffs.

both games in utah were very close. jazz better be ready in golden state for games 3 and 4

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #279 on: May 10, 2007 at 02:36 PM »
If Boozer can post up and get a lion's share of the offensive rebounds, why can't Dirk?  Avery should take notes from Sloan on how to successfully counter the Warriors.  Avery's first mistake was to match-up with Nellie's small ball.  He failed to realize that it wasn't small ball that got Dallas there.  Utah is not doing that and that's why they don't look lost out there.

Offline dobler

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #280 on: May 10, 2007 at 02:55 PM »
If Boozer can post up and get a lion's share of the offensive rebounds, why can't Dirk? 

Dirk has no post up game. He admitted that it's the weakest part of his game after Dallas lost the series. The Jazz on the other hand have a low post threat in Boozer as well as a stronger and quicker back court. As mentioned in Steve Kerr's recent column, match ups are a factor in playoff success. Golden State would have faired better with the Rockets.

Avery's first mistake was to match-up with Nellie's small ball.

Agreed, it was a huge psychological blow to Dallas.

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #281 on: May 10, 2007 at 03:11 PM »
Dirk has no post up game. He admitted that it's the weakest part of his game after Dallas lost the series. The Jazz on the other hand have a low post threat in Boozer as well as a stronger and quicker back court. As mentioned in Steve Kerr's recent column, match ups are a factor in playoff success. Golden State would have faired better with the Rockets.
He can do a non-traditional post-up wherein he won't be trying go nearer by backing-up on his man.  He can just stay there, wait for a penetration to get himslef free or to position for a rebound.  Or get the ball in the post and do his neat fade-away jumper (this time he's nearer the basket).  Dallas have bigger guys and they didn't use them wisely.

I agree, the Warriors would definitely have stolen at least one already had the Rockets won their series.

Agreed, it was a huge psychological blow to Dallas.
Yeah, akin to saying... "let's throw what got us here (won them 67 games) out the window because this is Don Nelson's team we're facing."

Offline Ashburndaride

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #282 on: May 10, 2007 at 08:33 PM »
If the Jazz wins over GSW, mas lalong nakakahiya sa Mavs  ;D

« Last Edit: May 10, 2007 at 08:36 PM by Ashburndaride »

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #283 on: May 10, 2007 at 11:42 PM »
If the Jazz wins over GSW, mas lalong nakakahiya sa Mavs  ;D

This current Jazz team is very good in defense.  They were good in defense during the regular season while Kirilenko was having a subpar season.  Now that Andrei seems to be getting back on track, the Jazz can beat anyone even the Dallas Mavericks.

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #284 on: May 11, 2007 at 11:47 AM »
pistons now up 3-0, looks like another sweep in the east. will someone please beat this team  :P

Phoenix Duo Highlights All-NBA First Team

Offline runner10

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #285 on: May 11, 2007 at 12:14 PM »
pistons now up 3-0, looks like another sweep in the east. will someone please beat this team  :P

Phoenix Duo Highlights All-NBA First Team


Wow.  All West stars!

Offline Munskie

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #286 on: May 11, 2007 at 12:40 PM »
If the Jazz wins over GSW, mas lalong nakakahiya sa Mavs  ;D


  Dirk will be named "REGULAR SEASON" MVP.............. :-\
« Last Edit: May 11, 2007 at 12:40 PM by Munskie »

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #287 on: May 11, 2007 at 02:00 PM »
pistons now up 3-0, looks like another sweep in the east. will someone please beat this team  :P

Phoenix Duo Highlights All-NBA First Team


My team is almost exactly the same except for KG replacing Amare.  ;D

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #288 on: May 11, 2007 at 02:10 PM »
does amare deserve to be selected? wasn't he inconsistent, especially during early season? but i cant think of anyone though who can rightfully replace him. maybe if yao ming was healthy during the season...
« Last Edit: May 11, 2007 at 04:17 PM by RNIverson »

Offline Munskie

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #289 on: May 11, 2007 at 03:05 PM »
does amare deserved to be selected? wasn't he inconsistent, especially during early season? but i cant think of anyone though who can rightfully replace him. maybe if yao ming was healthy during the season...
Id rather have Chris Bosh there...he led Raptors to a very respectable record.......and has good numbers too....I think he's more deserving than Amare....

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #290 on: May 11, 2007 at 04:16 PM »
does amare have any game anyway? he's nothing without nash, like k-mart's nothing without kidd. sorry sa fans  :P

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #291 on: May 11, 2007 at 04:38 PM »
does amare have any game anyway? he's nothing without nash, like k-mart's nothing without kidd. sorry sa fans  :P

Amare has game.  He was a monster already while still a rookie.  Before Steve Nash was not yet in Phoenix, he was already a monster.  He deserved winning the Rookie Of The Year award.  Contrary to popular belief, Steve Nash didn't make Marion and Amare better.  He did made the game easier for them.

Offline X-®an™

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #292 on: May 11, 2007 at 05:41 PM »
"All-NBA First Team: messed up"

http://blogs.ohio.com/cavaliers_blog/

Heheh.. sourgrapes from a pro-Cleveland blogger.  At any rate, an interesting article.  The NBA should just stop these awards voted by the media.  If they really want a more respectable award, why not just let the players and coaches vote instead?

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #293 on: May 13, 2007 at 02:19 PM »
this has to be the #1 play of the season

Denver 20 Sec. timeout
0:01.5  98-95  Marcus Camby bad pass (Rasheed Wallace steals) 
0:00.1  98-98  Rasheed Wallace makes 63-foot three point jumper

#1 indeed  ;)

Top 10 Regular Season Plays

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #294 on: May 13, 2007 at 10:18 PM »
getting more physical  8)



go spurs!


Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #295 on: May 15, 2007 at 02:09 PM »
and more...



should've been 3-1  :-X

Offline Battousai

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #296 on: May 15, 2007 at 08:19 PM »
Hah! I love it! Everything gets rough in the playoffs and it's just so friggin awesome!

Tinker Bell doesn't have the right to take words with Horry after Big Shot Rob hockey checked Nash, considering the fact that he so blatantly clotheslined Kobe in last year's playoffs.

And Nash actually got up to rush Horry when there were people present. No sell, Steve.

Amare might be suspended for rushing out of the bench, but his alibi was that D'Antoni told him to check-in. Hah!  ::)

Offline RNIverson

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #297 on: May 16, 2007 at 12:57 AM »
Amare might be suspended for rushing out of the bench, but his alibi was that D'Antoni told him to check-in. Hah!  ::)

i doubt he'll get suspended, but very lame excuse IMO

--


Dirk ends Nash's two-year grip on NBA MVP award
« Last Edit: May 16, 2007 at 09:18 AM by RNIverson »

Offline bumblebee

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #298 on: May 16, 2007 at 07:42 AM »
From what I've read, the NBA is very strict w/ this rule. I won't be surprised if Amare and Boris get suspended.

I say no suspensions, please. Even for Cheap Shot Rob.

Offline Bravesfan

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Re: NBA '07
« Reply #299 on: May 16, 2007 at 07:51 AM »
Amare and Boris were suspended for game 5 and Horry suspended for two games...all because of Horry's cheap shot on Nash when the game is already over...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2871615