End of the Road for CP & Hornets
Chris Paul (photo. David Deal)Previewing Game 7 between the Hornets and Spurs in Smack over the weekend, we said: “Whatever happens, Chris Paul’s 2008 legacy is gonna be established in this game. Toppling the defending champs will take him from “amazing year” to “unforgettable year.” Then at halftime of the game last night, with the Hornets facing a nine-point deficit, we said: “Over the next 24 minutes we’re going to see how good Chris Paul really is. If this game keeps going the way it has, the only way the Hornets can win is if CP goes crazy.” In the end, Paul’s second half performance was surprisingly uninspired. His stat line looked good (18 pts, 14 asts, 8 rebs, 5 stls), but he seemed emotionally out of gas after the third quarter ended and New Orleans was down by 15. That the Hornets were able to come back and make it a close game down the stretch was more due to Jannero Pargo’s gunning than anything CP did … Pargo dropped 16 points in the fourth quarter and helped cut the Spurs’ lead down to three with 1:30 to go, but missed a good look at a triple in the corner on the next possession. Tony Parker came down on the other end and made a tremendously ballsy jumper, then Manu Ginobili (26 pts) converted the necessary free throws to ice it and send the Spurs to the conference finals … Before all that, the game had seemed to be decided in the third quarter. The Hornets actually got a lot of the shots they wanted in the quarter — open jumpers for David West, point-blank floaters for Chris Paul, uncontested threes for Mo Pete — they just couldn’t make them. The Spurs didn’t even play all that well in the quarter until Mike Finley got hot in the last few minutes, but they were good enough to maintain control of the game. The Hornets had no one to blame but themselves during that stretch, either. The ref’ng looked a little dicey; anytime Paul was touched the whistles blew, and Tim Duncan was called for a couple of questionable fouls … Another key to the game was San Antonio’s bench. Finley, Robert Horry (sporting a fresh Game 7 haircut) and Ime Udoka all made big plays, whereas the Hornets only got a positive contribution from Pargo. Bonzi Wells did make an early appearance, but after he blew a wide-open layup was never seen again. Notice how none of those Spurs’ reserves are younger than 30? And yet every team in the League wants to get younger … Defensively the Spurs played the pick-and-roll effectively, ushering CP into other defenders rather than rushing somebody at him and opening up the lanes for alley-oops. A few times you saw Paul get in the air and not know what to do, having to bail himself out by kicking it out to the perimeter … When Gregg Popovich was mic’d up during a timeout, we could’ve sworn we heard him say, “No dicking around” in the huddle … Back problems? David West came out on fire, scoring 12 of his 20 points in the first quarter on an array of post moves where he looked pretty healthy. (Of course, if he was dealing with the Lakers medical staff he’d have spent last night in a body cast.) To start the third, West broke out a finger roll and a runner where he evoked Dr. J and Connie Hawkins … If the Spurs put a lineup on the floor of Duncan, Oberto, Horry, Bruce Bowen and Manu for an extended period of time, is there any doubt a fight would break out? The aggravation factor of playing against those five together would be off the charts … Gotta love how Marv Albert is slick enough to insult Reggie Miller when he’s sitting right next to him and Reggie doesn’t even notice. In the first half Marv was plugging Reggie’s NBA.com “Overtime” mailbag and — while Reggie was either zoning out or going over notes — Marv mentioned Reggie’s “over-the-top respect for courtside celebrities.” Reggie never responded … Speaking of that, if the Hornets can get Ric Flair and Forest Whitaker to regularly attend their games, they’ll take the Lakers’ crown for the coolest courtside celebs … After Charles Barkley talked about the “nervous crowd” at halftime, Jed e-mailed the rest of us during the third quarter saying Barkley’s words were ringing true and that the N.O. crowd was too quiet. About 30 seconds later, Marv Albert said the same thing on TV. Follow-up e-mail from Jed: “Marv stole my Smack!!” … Two questions that came up last night: (1) How many 2nd-round picks and undrafted guys were playing significant roles for both teams? You had Bowen, Udoka, Manu and Pargo, plus Parker was a late-first rounder. (2) After LeBron, how many players on the Cavs could crack the top eight rotation on any of the remaining playoff teams? … Funniest moment of the night: After the Hornets had cut the lead to four in the 4th quarter, TNT showed a montage of the players’ facial expressions going into a commercial. As Marv was talking about the spectrum of emotions on display, they showed Pargo with a totally blank stare looking like a still photo. And is it us or does Pargo look like he’s got a lip full of tobacco during games? … Overall, you have to admit the Hornets would have done a lot better if Peja Stojakovic had played. Oh wait … We’re out like Hugo …
May 20th, 2008 at 1:49 am
chance says:
great win by the spurs… looks like the lakers series will go 7 games as well that comment from Marv was hilarious…
May 20th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Coach T-sun says:
It was a good matchup, Tony parker doesn’t get enough credit hes a top 3 PG in the league his stats just don’t back it up but hes smart, and a one man fast break. People can talk about Deron, Paul, Nash and Kidd but at the end of the day Parker got the chips and the MVP in the finals. time to pay our respects.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:51 am
chance says:
odom = stojakovic = disappears in big games…
May 20th, 2008 at 1:51 am
daquest?on Im Regularly Irregular says:
1st i hate the spurs
May 20th, 2008 at 1:52 am
daquest?on Im Regularly Irregular says:
second of all i wish the lakers beat the spurs and i hate them too
May 20th, 2008 at 1:56 am
daquest?on Im Regularly Irregular says:
but u gotta give it to the hornets they played great during the playoffs and the good thing is that they are a young team so this will help them in the long run because they get experience and they will contend for at least the next decade. oh on a side note as the years go by the 2003 draft keeps shining melo,lebrn,bosh,wade,jsh howard,west,perkins and alot more that have potential.this is the second best draft by far after the 1996 draft
May 20th, 2008 at 1:57 am
daquest?on Im Regularly Irregular says:
all of the names i mention made the playoffs this year
May 20th, 2008 at 1:59 am
chance says:
hats off to the hornets…they will be a scary team next year…
May 20th, 2008 at 2:05 am
JoeGym says:
True enough Coach T-Sun. Parker could play a faster paced game full of electrifying 1on1 plays but he’d run his teammates ragged & Pop would blow a gasket.
We see what he’s capable of vs the Suns, Warriors etc.
His coach/team restrict some of his natural talent (DWill’s also to a lesser extent).
I also think front office types who slept on him dont pump him up in public b/c it makes them look bad after the fact.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Remy Nguyen says:
Learning curve for CP3 and crew. They will be dangerous in the years to come.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Coach T-sun says:
you hit it JoeGym, Deron is equally as valuable as CP3 His stats don’t back it up because he plays in a system where it doesn’t permit him to get ALL the assist. He just makes plays that benefits the team and does the little things that don’t show on the stat sheet, this is why i feel CP3 shouldn’t be number 2 on the mvp ballot they are both equally good, and him being 2nd and deron no where to be found is saying cp3 is sooo much better than him which is total contradiction considering theres a the whole “debate” going on. I think CP3 is a good player the offense is predicated on him dribbling the ball as much as he can and he waits to find openings to get the dime, but playing under a system helps you get to the championship level.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:31 am
GEE...Heeesheey, uh, blowticious! says:
Spurs got that potion and N.O. just got a cup! I credit this game to Bruce Bowen and his 6 crucial points. Ya boi locking up Peja really kept N.O. at a serious disadvantage.
Wow Pargo had bout the cleanest look of a three you gone get in a game 7. Reboundin really hurt N.O. For all that West does and did he wasn’t rebounding worth ish.
Spurs box out almost better than any squad in the L. I would say it’s close between them and Utah boxing out wise.
Spurs and Lakers should be fun.
Oh yea I know this is going back but I think one major reason people don’t like the Spurs is cause they don’t look the part. Seriously aside from size, if them dudes were your height and came for a pick-up game, you gone laugh to yourself.
Your first thought is this guy can’t possibly ball. Look at them Duncan, Parker, Manu, Bowen, Orberto and Udoka. Come on now? You would be like I am about to school this dude. Then all the sudden they whippin yo monkey a**. LOL
Just more reason to dislike the Spurs.
But congrats to all Spurs fans for gettin the ish done the right way and having what it takes in players, coaches and GM.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:48 am
tealish says:
GEE: Haha, you’ve actually hit it right on the nail. There’s no atheletically built, “cool-looking” guys on the Spurs. Finley, kinda, but dude’s old as hell. There’s grey scattered in his beard.
But damn, can they ball. I like them over the Lakers and actually, I like their chances for that 5th title in 10 years. Now that is intensely dynasty-esque.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:51 am
word says:
simply the inevitable, the spurs can all go to hell.
why the fuck can’t duncan have a career ending injury, or just even a season ending one. the spurs need to leave the nba so it can be enjoyable again. they are so wack. and chris paul does flop.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:55 am
bill says:
go spurs!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Jerry says:
Peja is just doing the same disappearing act when he was with the Kings.
What? it’s Game 7? time for me not to score.
LOL @ the giant Peja head that some dude runs around with, i wish there was 20 of them.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:03 am
bill says:
come on portland to get 1st pick and take rose, bucks to get second pick and take beastly ( I want rose on bucks or blazers
)
May 20th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Keith says:
I see NO winning a championship eventually with that core of players. My first instinct is to replace either West or Chandler because I’ve always believed that you can’t win a championship without a post-player who demands a double-team (unless you happen to have Jordan on your team). However, I like the way both West and Chandler play. Plus, I think Paul is good enough at getting into the lane and then finding the open man that I he can do what that post-player would (collapse the defense and open up shooters on a regular basis).
So, I don’t know that I’d change anything with their team other than what Barkley said…get a SG who can create. Also, give Byron Scott a 10-year contract.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:01 am
marcus says:
damn peja got lost like a wuss in a mob scene… shoulda been a lakers / hornets west finals… now, we see the jurassic spurs again doin their systematic thingy…
head’s up, my boy cp3, just a couple of years more and the west’ll be urs to take… just keep west and chandler wid ya and u’ll be legit for years…
and oh,
puck feja…
May 20th, 2008 at 4:54 am
GayforRudy says:
I agree with all posts. Except the ones that say anything positive about the Spurs. F Them!
May 20th, 2008 at 5:03 am
marcus says:
PUCK FEJA
May 20th, 2008 at 5:17 am
eric says:
Funny how everyone buried the spurs after they were down 2-0 without homecourt advantage against the 2nd best team in the west; and now that they have overcome a 2-0 deficit with a crucial win in game 7 on the road, it is supposedely for no reason other than the hornets didn’t show up. San antonio displayed a tremendous amount of experience, focus and text book execution in yesterday’s game. This gives them an edge against any of the remaining playoffs teams. Heading to lala land, the spurs have never been closer to a repeat.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:25 am
AB_40 says:
word that’s just terrible. You don’t wish a career ending injury to anyone if you’re a real basketball player or supporter. It was a great game. I know pargo scored 16 in the final quarter but he might have overdone the gunning. Chris Paul was the worst I have seen him play this series. When the spurs were up he knew what was up. Ey too bad those peja heads weren’t the shirtless posters of him that sight would be priceless. Spurs in 6 or 7 over the lakers. And the same goes for detroit or the real ray allen stands up for boston then I wanna watch those final games cuzz that’s gonna be CRAZY.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Damon says:
hard loss for the hornets, but the spurs were just the better team. i don’t like them but the way they keep their composure is just unbelievable.
btw, the hornets core is younger than most. but besides paul and chandler, who is really young? west will be 28 this year, and the rest of the rotation players are nearly 30 or older.(julian wright could be could someday, but wasn’t really balling in the playoffs)
don’t get me wrong, they have a bright future. but I heard an “expert” saying this core will contend for nearly 10 more years. come on now
May 20th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Edwin says:
Hey Chance, If you didn’t notice, Odom has been playing great in the big games lately. Hitting his free throws in the clinching games and out-boarding anyone else on the Lakers. Peja was expected to have a shitty game 7. I think he has played in only one other game 7 and that was also a home loss (this one to the Lakers). He is the biggest choke artist in the league.
To bad we couldn’t watch Kobe remind Peterson that he dropped 81 on him not too long ago…
May 20th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Jimbo says:
@ post 7
Dwayne Wade?
May 20th, 2008 at 6:43 am
eric says:
matchups for the west finals
duncan/gasol – duncan
oberto/odom – odom
manu/kobe – kobe
walton/bowen – even
parker/fisher – parker
bench : even
overall: close edge to the spurs who win in 7 games
keys for the spurs :
- bowen’s defense on kobe
- parker’s ability to penetrate and hit floaters
- outside shooting from manu and finley
keys for the lakers:
- kobe’s offensing game
- double team on timmy D
- ability of the young bench to keep composure at this stage of the competition
May 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
shhhhhooops says:
You can hate on Ginobli and Parker (and i certainly do), but if you appreciate true basketball then you have to enjoy watching Duncan play on some level. He’s one of the best PFs of all time, easily in the top 5, if not higher. It’s great watching him prove horrible “experts” wrong this year because he’s gotten older…. Until they lose two years in a row I’m never counting them out.
Love watching CP play, but the refs give him wayyyyy too much room to stiff arm people, make contact and flop (he’s on par with parker at times), and take a few extra steps to the hoop. I just hope he doesn’t start getting the d-wade/bron treatment… that just ruins games for me.
NYKs draft lottery chances tonight…. please get the #1 so we can get Rose and rid ourselves of MiseraBURY.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Lee says:
Here’s the story ….
Superstar demands trade before season starts. Superstar buckles down and puts a young team on his back for half a season. GM somehow rape the Grizlies for the missing peice to the team. Superstar leads the team to best record in the west. Superstar wins his first MVP …
Superstar wins the championship against LA’s oldest rivals.
Who else has a story like this, Kobe’s gonna make it happen !!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Celts Fan says:
Why was Jannero Pargo given the green light with the season on the line? Really Byron, he’s free to jack up jumper after jumper without so much as running a play when you have the best PG in the league on your team? I didn’t get it. I know he made plenty, but dude’s a volume shooter and it’s not like he was really efficient in the 4th. Very confusing…
May 20th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Ross says:
Not to be a fanboy or anything, but if Tim Duncan hadn’t gotten sick for the first 2 games, this series wouldn’t have lasted this long.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:28 am
GEE...first impulse was to run up on you and do a Rambo.. says:
Yea and if the refs had called it fair the Spurs woulnd’t have won, and if Bonzi would have wore a different color head band they would have made more free throws and if the mascot would have set the place on fire again the hornets would have won the 3rd quarter and if…
if.
Celts I am sure you watched the game, Pargo was the only dude hitting for a minute. should have gave dude the green light earlier. N.O. had all these great chances but seriously a lot of their stuff just wouldn’t fall.
I hope the Lakers take them out smooth. The refs really need to just let them play. I hope they don’t be all on the whistle.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Mike says:
Sweet, now I can stop watching the NBA Playoffs. I don’t care about any of the teams remaining.
Anyone else notice that the Spurs beating the Hornets was the first time in these playoffs that a lower seed beat a higher seed?
May 20th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Kingboy D says:
Damn, I hate the Spurs.
I always liked Byron Scott in the past, but I can’t believe he didn’t abandon the double teaming of Duncan. The Spurs were killing from the 3! After Ginobli and all the scrubs just kept hitting them, it quickly became obvious it was time to make adjustments.
I can’t believe I have to root for the Lakers now for the next round.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:38 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
Lee I like what you cookin in 29. I am with it and hope it happens.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Kingboy D says:
And one more thing – NO had no intensity in this game. They all had blank looks from the beginning of the game, not just at the end! I saw at least 3 instances when the players were friendly chatting it up with the Spurs on the court, patting each other on the back and all. This is for your season – forget all that comraderie crap! Players like Ewing and Mourning were always great friends off the court, but when it came time for the game (even non-playoff games), they’d knock each other on their arses and never extend a hand to help them up. They were warriors. These guys don’t have that killer instinct. If only the’d all develop West’s perpetual scowl.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
rangerjohn says:
looking forward to the lakers!
got to say IMO the toughest matchup for the spurs just went fishing last night!
with a kobe “stopper” and a half (bowen/udoka) parker destroys fisher, kobe is going to have to work double hard to slow manu, pau and duncan offensively are a wash but pau has crap for defense, odom and the thomas/oberto combo will be a wash, and the combo of walton/vladdy raddy will disapear even farther. the spurs bench is proven not to crack, and the lakers bench seams to crack game after game. the real matchup for this series has nothing to do with the players, it has everything to do with the 2 best coaches in the league and 2 of the best ever.
in the ned the spurs win in 6 and pop says “im getting 5 before you get 10″ to the zen master
im out like chris west and david paul!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:47 am
rangerjohn says:
by the way did anyone else notice chris paul and david west come out to the press conference together after almost every loss, are they scared of the media or what?
and one last thing about the lakers spurs, lakers got no defense! cant win without stops!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:55 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
ranger at this point, Spurs wise, I can’t even debate with you no more homey.
I will say I think you getting high off your own supply, and you on some Kanye West type stuff in actually believing your own hype.
Still today you are a winner. So I salute you pimpin and all other Spurs fan. I hope the Lakers piss in Manu and company’s Gatorade. LOL
May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
the jed says:
Has someone made a puck feja shirt yet? Pretty hysterical
May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
rangerjohn says:
gee lmao
its ok you can debate me all you want. but remember, i was right on the 1st 2 series. i think your boy rudy t said it best “never underestimate the heart of a champion” well the spurs have to this point proven this correct.
its cool gee, you know i got to do a little gloating, just like every person here would have done had the hornets won.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:01 am
alex says:
Another one bites the spurs’ dust. its funny how people were just throwing them under the bus after the 1st 2 games. NO fans can now jump in and join the LAL bandwagon.
@ranger – I agree that the next series would be pretty much POP vs PJ. The lakers are more explosive offensively, but their defense is suspect and they are a bit prone to turnovers. Duncan will have better scoring against Pau and Odom. They key for SA would be transition defense.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:03 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
True dat! LOL.
That is kinda cold to use a Houston phrase knowing well that cuts deep lol.
Hey you all are the champs for a reason. It’s certainly not a fluke with yall.
Yea the team seriously should have trading Peja as the number 1 task for the off-season. Wait…they should trade him AAAAAAFTER they whip his ***!
May 20th, 2008 at 9:12 am
ERIC says:
What was with the ‘white-out’ with the Hornets crowd? Throughout the first and second round, their home fans wore bright yellow?
Fans should be superstitious as well and kept those bright yellow shirts on. That distracts the spurs as opposed to the ‘white-out’ that most home arena’s do now.
Horry looked circa-1995 with that haircut. Still hate him.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
The spurs aren’t one of my favorite teams, but saying you hate them is harsh. They play fundamental basketball. So did the Hornets. The spurs have nice defensive rotation off of picks, they shoot from the perimeter accurately, they are a clutch team. They are aggresive in D, they move the ball on offense to find the open man, they rarelt ever force shots. They do Whine, and complain a lot, but sh*t what team doesn’t do that. They are old, but wisdom overcomes exuberance. Trust me I’m not excited about the Spurs going to the Western Conference Finals, but at least I know LA will be challenged the entire series. For all the Spurs fans who believe that San An is a lock, DON’T GET TO COCKY, Los Angeles isn’t some kind of JV team, them cats can play flat out. Duncan against Gasol, Kobe against bowen, Odom against whoever pop puts on him will be a severe mismatch, and Parker against veteran savvy Fisher. This will be a LLLOOONNGGG one people. So grab your popcorn and get ready!
May 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Celts Fan says:
GEE, I get that about Pargo, but he was straight forcing shots late and the only one CP3 got a touch on, he missed (coincidence obviously, but they did need to get into some sets and not just let Pargo dribble around and jack up jumper after jumper.) You’ve got to run a real offense in that spot. Everything was the old Pass it to Will offense, only if Will was in the Special Olympics and the 5th best player on the team.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@rangerjohn
Dude, no you didn’t just say Kobe is going to be working double hard to stop Manu?
Kobe is the BEST player in the league, he’s no Lebron, Kobe is going to dominate from game 1 to game 7, that you can guarantee, it took the spurs 7 games to beat New Orleans, and it took the lakers 6 to finish off Utah.
By the way Utah is a MUCH MUCH more aggresive team than San Antonio. You should be worried about who’s going to stop Kobe, and check the stats ranger, Kobe TORCHES BOWEN, time after time, just like he torches everyone else. To say the Lakers bench cracks and San An doesn’t is a very unfair assesment went it took San An, 7 games to beat a team who had never made it that far in the playoffs.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Amar says:
so . . . just keeping score . . .
CP (3 seasons) — 2 lotto, 1 2nd round
Deron (3 seasons) — 1 lotto, 1 2nd round, 1 western conf. finals
May 20th, 2008 at 9:28 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
Celts I agree you got to run a real offense cause D. West, Peja and Tyson were no where to be found.
It was a have to get someone willing to shoot type deal. Nothing was dropping CP3 really or West, and mind you, they had some real good looks.
Even with Pargo forcing dude was still hitting shots and getting to the rim. Remember if he hits that wiiiiyyyydeeee open 3 then the game is tied and who knows after that.
I mean if you can tell me who was hitting besides Pargo really I will give you that. Pargo had his chance to be a hero and came up short.
Still wondering, after the wide open miss by Pargo, Parker comes down and gets a pick….Whyyy in the world wouldn’t Tyson come up on Parker, instead of giving him the wide open J. They all need to be beat like that scene in School Daze where dudes had to say something after they got hit. Peja and Tyson should be the first two to get theirs.
Bowen plays lovely D I don’t care what nobody say.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Celts Fan says:
Completely agree GEE, he was the only one looking to shoot (we were all joking that he was trying to make a name for himself) but they just didn’t seem to be good, efficient possessions and high difficulty shots…
May 20th, 2008 at 9:32 am
QQ says:
NEVER would I ever want to see Peja play in a crucial game again. That ass was just straight disgusting. Bricking shot after shot (you’re paid to shoot the three!!!), dude is just killing… HIS OWN TEAM. As clutch as a bag of potatoes.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Rangerjohn
Give props where props is due!
Season stats
Lakers Spurs
106 85 Kobe= 20 pts, 6-14
91 103 Kobe= 29 pts, 12-27
102 97 Kobe= 30 pts, 10-24
92 107 Kobe= 18 pts, 9-19
Kobe averaged 28 points for the season, there is no such thing as a Kobe stopper! I know season stats count for crap concerning the playoffs, but Kobe has 3 rings and TRUST, he can lead his team just like Duncan can into battle. So don’t get it twisted ranger, this will be a series.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:36 am
alex says:
@chuck – not saying that SPURS are favored over LA. I would probably think its a 50 / 50 chance for both teams right now. I just like SA’s chances because they are more disciplined than LA, and even when the Spurs lose, its not because of lack of effort.
The LAL bench is much better offensively. Sasha ‘the machine’ can light it up really quick, and Turiaf provides great energy.
I’m sure the Spurs wouldn’t mind getting lit up by KB24. But PJ knows the Lakers are twice as hard to beat when Gasol gets going, Kobe plays decoy, and the shooters are making them open triples.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@alex
you know my homie rangerjohn be on that delusional tip. Whoever the spurs go against is toast according to rangerjohn. LMAO!! Just not so my friend, just not so.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Kobeef says:
It seems like there aren’t many fans of the Spurs (I’m not one) but you have to admit that last night was pretty awesome…. the spurs just keep killing.
The thing that you have to love about them is that you know in a game seven situation that they will not lose. They know how to win. It’s as if they push a “win” button and morph into an unbeatable force when the need arises.
A few thoughts on Spurs-Lakers
- Gasol and Duncan will be the best head-to head match-up of the series. Two of the most skilled PF’s on the planet going head-to-head.
- The NBA breathed a sigh of relief when CP3’s team was knocked out. No chance now that two years in a row the MVP gets knocked out before the guy people thought should be MVP.
- Here’s hoping the league finally cracks down on some of Bowen’s dirty play. There is no chance he does his stick-your-foot-under-the-shooter play to Kobe and gets away with it.
Also, I think the Celtics are in trouble against the Pistons. Unless Ray Allen re-appears this could be the end of Boston’s playoff run.
Here’s to hoping that Boston and LA beat the odds and prevent a snooze-fest Detroil-SA matchup in the finals.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:44 am
djKianoosh says:
Hornets and Jazz have very bright futures. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Jazz-Hornets western final sometime in the next few years. Chris Paul needs to chill on the flopping. Did you seem him out-flop Manu!?! Manu haters must have loved that. in the infamous words of Mark Jackson, “you’re better than that” (god i hate that voice)…
For now, Spurs-Lakers. LOVE IT! as a basketball fan, this final four is great! and I even said this on one of these posts before the playoffs started, we might even get a Spurs-Pistons repeat. Not what ya’ll want, I know. I know. But it’s VERY much a possibility.
Kobe needs to find a balance between expending energy defending parker/ginobili/finley/role players spotting up for threes and going off on bowen on the offensive end. If Gasol and Turiaf can play any type of D on Duncan without having them double team they’ll be happy with that.
It’s a cliche by now, but Spurs’ best shot to win a game in LA is Game 1. lakers might be a little rusty, especially the role players. Spurs role players are feeling good. Horry’s back in shape. Udoka’s much improved and confident. Finley needs to wake the frak up and be consistent. Thomas and Oberto need all the savvy they have to keep Gasol off the boards and from making those great high-low passes in the lane.
Odom and Ginobili, x-factors. If Kobe guards Ginobili and still goes off on offense, Lakers got this. Then if Odom gets involved and contributes it will be verrrry interesting to see Popovich’s adjustments, cause does he have two defenders that can guard odom and kobe at the same time? Bowen & Udoka? please.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:47 am
isotope says:
say what you want but the 4 teams left are the best teams in the league. Any other team that could have been left would have been a surprise.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:56 am
alex says:
i think these last 4 teams all have good chances to win it all.
Lakers:
pros: deepest team, strongest offense, best player in KB24, great coach.
cons: bench untested in clutch, defense missing in stretches, TO prone, back up PG missing in action.
Spurs:
pros: defense, experience, resourceful coach, clutch players
cons: age, offense struggles when 3’s don’t go in.
Pistons:
pros: defense, teamwork, Sheed when he brings ‘A’ game, great closer in Billups.
cons: coach. they forgot to ‘turn on the switch’
Celtics:
pros: tough defense, hard work, home court advantage
cons: unimaginative offense, coach, lack of experience playing together.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:59 am
for real says:
Spurs By 9 last night, oh well I said by 7 in yesterday’s post #45. I love it when I’m wrong like that.
Lakers/Spurs will be a great, great series. CANNOT WAIT !!!
Either way, I’m just glad I don’t have to watch Candace Paul commit offensive fouls on every play anymore. Have a nice summer Candy….
May 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
SWAT says:
Ok i type this with regret because i really do hate the spurs…but damn yall whopped that ass last nite. No 2 ways about it. Seriously though, Pargo turned into George Costanza last nite with his chucking ass! Where the hell was he all game? And why the hell didnt Coach Scott use his damn bench? It’s obvious midway thru the third that you need to do something diff! Damn put in mike james, put bonzi back in something shit just get f’in Peja out of there!! And ranger seriously please don’t use H-town quotes to describe your boys…come up with your own. Something like…yea we are old as hell and some of our players are cheap and tony parker looks like a damn gremlin but we beat yall’s ass. LOL something like that might work!!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Celts Fan says:
Another huge playoff game, YET ANOTHER couple big shots by Big Shot Bob. His career #s may not stand up, but if you’re judging a guy by the impact he has on his team when it counts, to me Horry’s a HOF’er. Bill Simmons calls it the “Eye test” and the “can you tell the story of his era without him?” and to me, you can’t talk about the 90s-2000s without talking about at least 3 or 4 HUGE shots he’s made, and that’s ignoring the big shots he’s made in earlier Playoff games that may not get as much play as the Sacto killer. Now someone needs to get him a new agent, cuz I Am Legend sucked…
May 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
rangerjohn says:
ok chuck, look at those statts you posted, the spurs have held kobe to an average of 4.5 points less then his season average, and 6% worse on his average shooting %.
while nobody is actually a “kobe stopper” bowen and udoka make him work as hard or harder then anyone in the league does.
as for manu making him work double hard, yes he absolutely will. see kobe works his ass off on the offensive end, and so does manu, kobe is generally not used to working both ends of the floor because there are just no that many guys he has to match up with. manu he has to match up with, who else would the zen master put on manu? luke walton? vladdy? manu will destroy the lakers if they put anyone but kobe on him. and manu can get kobe in foul trouble.
and yes i will always say the spurs are favored in this or any matchup, everyone better remember, the spurs are still the champs and are always favored to win until they lose.
@gee, yeah i though you would liek the rudy t comment, have to say he makes a hell of a point
May 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Octopus Jonny says:
Bruce Bowen is going to have to be really careful with his defensive strategy on Kobe. If he isn’t, he could spark a 50 point barrage on his dome!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:17 am
DaPro says:
Gee I see your Das EFx and raise you Black Moon…
Was it me or did anybody else see CP3 push Ginobilli’s face when going for the ball?
Celts tonight in a defensive battle. Ray gets loose for 18 cause Doc realizes that he has to run plays in order to be called a coach
May 20th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Celts fan
Yeah dude has hit some big shots and made some big plays, but dude’s attitude irks the crap out of me. HOF’s also should be able to CARRY teams, he just comes up occassionally, put it this way, you got this chick who give you fantastic head every night, I mean, night in, night out she given you the business. Then she leaves you, and you get this chick who hits and misses, I mean, sometimes she’s great, but more than likely she’s just mediocre, you ain’t gine wanna wife that chick for life, after you have just had the best head of your life every night for like a year straight. Horry isn’t a great player, or even a clutch player. Jordan, Kobe, Wilt, Hakeem, they come up big ALL THE TIME, night in night out, whether it was regular season or playoffs, naw that chump don’t belong in the HOF, and dude just happened to be on great teams, and that’s why he won chips.
In 94 and 95, dude was big for the rockets and that’s all I’ll give him, averaging 13 points and 7 boards is nothing to sneeze at during playoff runs. Those still aren’t Hall of fame, take over a game numbers though. So I would have to disagree on this one.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:26 am
for real says:
EVERY year of Horry’s career he has made it to at least the second round. EVERY YEAR. Some dudes never even MAKE the playoffs. Could be luck, could be a good choice of teams to join or could be that he is a stone cold playa
May 20th, 2008 at 10:27 am
rangerjohn says:
last thing chuck
lakers spurs where 2-2 this season
keep in mind, one of the games the lakers won (dec 13th), they won by 5 points, and the spurs starting line up looked like this
bruce bowen
manu ginobili
MATT BONNER
fabricio oberto
JACQUE VAUGHN
kobe got his numbers but it took 38 minutes in a 5 point win with scrubs starting.
lakers lost jan 23rd when parker was gimpy, manu was just back and barry was just back both from injury.
and the last game of the series lakers blew the spurs out again with no manu.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
isotope says:
really hard to pick a favorite. Every time has a good shot at it. I’m rooting for the Pistons but the Celtics could easily take that and it wouldnt be a shocker. I kinda like the Lakers vs the spurs but the spurs could take that one too. Gotta love the NBA.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:35 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
Have to say Tracy McGrady would sell his organs for Robert Horry’s career, luck and all.
Tracy no 2nd round, no rings, no playoff highlights that are just super memorable and tons of injuries.
Horry not as injured, rings, playoff consistency and more memories than you can shake a stick at.
DaPro…Black Moon? That’s what’s up!
So yea ranger what is San An’s slogan for this years run?
Flop till we win it all lol.
We will show no emotion till it’s done.
We don’t look like it, but we will kick your ***! lol
May 20th, 2008 at 10:38 am
alex says:
“Some dudes never even MAKE the playoffs. Could be luck, could be a good choice of teams to join or could be that he is a stone cold playa”
I hear ya. He doesn’t ‘choose’ the teams he joins – the teams choose him. 7 rings ain’t no luck and for sure there’s a good reason why PJ and POP (2 of the greatest coaches in this era) choose to have him in their rosters.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Celts Fan says:
Exactly Alex. To me, Horry’s one of the best role players of all time. We glorify the stars but tell the other guys to just “Play your role.” When you get a guy like that, he deserves to be recognized. He has the most rings of anyone EVER that wasn’t on the old-school Celtics. That has to count for something. Why can’t we induct a great role player into the Hall when he’s accomplished so much on the team level (and that’s the whole point of playing) over his career?
May 20th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@rangerjohn
You know why I love you rangerjohn? Because you are so confident in your team, but my friend, your greatest strength is your greatest weakness.
You ain’t f*ckin wit no rookie!
The only real game we can base this series off of is the last one, because that was the only game in which the SPurs played the Lakers with Gasol. And yes the Lakers torched that a*s. The 3rd game Kwame brown was the starting Center because Bynum was hurt, and yes you are right. That 2nd game the spurs did have a gimpy lineup, but the Lakers were still playing with Bynum, NOT Gasol, so the system didn’t work as well because rangerjohn my friend, Bynum doesn’t pass as well as Gasol does!
With Gasol in the middle, we are talking a completely different fairy tale, this isn’t the 3 bears, it’s Cinderella.
The 1 game you can use for evidence in support of the spurs is the 4th game for a accurate prediction, and the Spurs LOST!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
djKianoosh says:
regular season matters not.
regular season makes not one great.
luminous beings are we… wait wait. getting my yoda quotes mixed up..
Get ready for a Spurs-Pistons final ya’ll. Part Deux. I’m telling you. Everybody and their momma will hate it, but I must like the visual punishment, cause I will enjoy a finals with those two teams.
Duncan-Gasol will be great to watch, but I think Pop sticks Oberto/Thomas on Gasol to avoid foul trouble. If he does that, Duncan has to guard Odom, which might take him away from the basket. Kobe-Bowen will be an interesting duel. Ginobili might have his way with Radmanovic, unless Kobe guards Manu. Parker will destroy Fisher on the break, but Fisher will stick some dagger threes for sure. Horry might have to come in early to guard Odom. But then again, you never know, Pop might start Horry and Finley instead of Oberto and Manu and have those guys come off the bench to create mismatches. It’s going to be fascinating to watch. Spurs in 7.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
alex says:
** chuck loves ranger **
sorry guys, just messin with y’all.
@celts – yes players should be recognized (for the HOF) based on the effect / contribution they had to the game of basketball – more than stats. The worm is HOF material.
Horry directly or indirectly had something to do in squashing the ff teams (or probably even more):
Shaq and Penny’s Orlando Magic
The Sacramento Kings
2005 Pistons
2007 Suns
May 20th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@fo real and alex
Do you know why Horry ended up in LA? He threw a towel in Danny ainges face while in Pheonix, that’s why, best thing to happen to him, being traded to a great team for being an a*shole.
The logic behind this man’s rings is flawed.
1. It takes a team to win a chip, a great team, Karl Malone, John stockton, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley. Hell David Robinson didn’t win one until he got Duncan. It takes great teams to win chips
T-Mac hasn’t played with a great team yet, every time he gets close to a 2nd round birth injuries plague his teams. Some of this sh*t has to do with fortune rather you want to admit it or not.
Horry is NOT a cold playa, he has been fortunate enough to play for GREAT teams, dude has played with Cassell and the Dream in their prime, Kobe and Shaq in their prime, Duncan and Manu in their primes, dude has hit some BIG shots during his tenure with these teams in the playoffs, but that fool ain’t put the team on his back, shaq did, hakeem did, cassell did, Kobe did, Duncan did, Parker did!
this dude played his part on great teams, as a ROLE player. He hit one big shot out of the 80 shots taken in the game, he didn’t take over games like Wade did in 06,
please people come to your senses and stop giving this man more credit than deserved.
Hall of Fame? Are you f*cking kidding me?
May 20th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Alex
I do love Ranger. That’s my dude, my brother from another mother, you know we twins right? What I didn’t tell you is that when we were born he came out the womb in a hornets Jersey. LMAO!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:57 am
djKianoosh says:
make that Spurs in 6. I don’t think it goes to 7.
and I’ll take Pistons in 6, too.
you have been warned.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:58 am
girlybballluver says:
Thank you Spurs for saving me from that date!!!
The spurs hate is amazing. Respect their game. All the talk about the spurs being boring…am I the only one that thinks the Pistons are boring, and the hardest team to watch play? Guess so. Anyways….2 down, 2 to go.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
The point I was making with the Karl Malone. Barkely, Ewing thing was that they were all great PLAYERS, but obviously they didn’t have great TEAMS, and we can’t use Jordan as an excuse, dude is only 1 man, 1 man can’t stop a team of 5, Jordan was in a great system, with a great team, where everyone knew there Roles and they never strayed from that role.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
rangerjohn says:
yeah chuck i am always confident, and you are correct the last game was the only game with gasol, but then as i said there was no manu, the spurs lost a blow out, but then the hornets blew the spurs out 5 times including the regular season this year and look where they are, FISHING!
spurs have issues with youth and athleticism, and the only “youth” on the lakers team is on the bench. the only “atleticism” is kobe and odom. i look for parker to destroy, and manu to take over in the clutch. going to be fu nto watch 2 of the 3 most “clutch” players (kobe and manu according to 82games.com) go at it in the 4th.
try all you want, nobody can shake my faith in the pop system.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Everybody
Here is a quote directly from the Popovich and Jackson disccusion for Prot TX that I completely agree with and find appropriate for this Horry bullsh*t discussion right now.
Prof. TX says:
“Rings aren’t always the best way to judge. Sometimes rings just say that you had better talent around you.
If rings are your only standard, then Horry is a better player than Jordan, Kobe, Chamberlain, etc. And plenty of bench players have more rings that Barkley, which just means that they were lucky to be on good teams and help out a little. “
May 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Austin Burton says:
1. I’m not gonna fault Pargo for shooting as much as he did in the 4th. Remember, they were down by 15 going into the quarter and had pretty much given up until he started hitting. If he wasn’t “gunning,” they lose by double-digits.
2. I like how everyone’s saying “Oh well, it was a great season” for the Hornets, but you know if the Spurs had lost in the 2nd round to a team they were seeded higher than, everyone would be like, “Spurs are dead! They suck! Couldn’t even get past the 2nd round! The dynasty is over!” Am I right or wrong?
May 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@rangerjohn
I love pop, I love Duncan, I hate Manu because he only uses his left hand though, that’s some 3rd grade sh*t, he’s eventually going to lose that 1st step, and that set shot ain’t gone cut it. I love Parker, I like Bowens tenacity on defense. But I also love Kobe, greatest player on the planet right now, I love Odom, who can put the ball on the floor at 6′10 and rebound, I love Gasol and his court vision for a 7 footer, I love fisher and his veteran savvy. I tip my hats to both teams, and I can honestly say this is an even series, statistically, coaching staff and roster wise, but rangerjohn, every series we go into, you act like the spurs are about to blow this team out the water in like 4 games or some sh*t.You know what they would call that sh*t in a court room? Misleading the witness! LMAO!! Cause both you and I know, neither one of these teams are going to blow anyone out! They are going to be giving each other fits the entire series.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:13 am
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
girly tell about the date lol.
I can’t wait to see how my top 5 playoff guard Fisher does.
Please know that Horry was a very important part to Houston’s two. Know that.
Everywhere else he has done what is asked of him. What more do you want. I don’t think no one is saying dude is better than MJ. If you are then please ….log out.
Still Horry’s career by both luck and smarts and doing what’s asked has been remarkable.
Can’t wait to see Bruce aggrivate Kobe. Can’t wait to see what Kobe does about it.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Austin Burton
You are right, but since when has public opinion been intelligent opinion?
There are too many factors to consider regarding the Hornets. They are young, inexperienced in playoff basketball, their bench is pretty much crap and they were playing the defending world champions.
A top seed can be very deceptive. I mean look at the east, The hawks made the playoffs and they were a horrible team with a horrible coaching staff.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Austin Burton says:
The only reason anyone’s calling it a great season for New Orleans is because we (public, media, etc.) were wrong in our predictions for them. So because the Hornets exceeded our collective expectations, it’s now a great season? Ask Chris Paul or David West or Byron Scott today if they thought they had a “great” season. They felt they could go farther, obviously, so they’d call it a disappointment and a failure.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:25 am
rangerjohn says:
chuck
you know if you go back and look i have said all along spurs in 6. now that is not a blow out. that is 6 hard, tough games. i love my spurs, i have full confidence that they can beat any team in the league. remember they are the champs until they lose. i would say they pretty well dismantled the suns easily. they had 1 maybe 2 tough games the others where not nearly as tough a win as expected, and i gave the suns credit of 2 wins (they only got 1) i will say i (like everyone else) under estimated the hornets as i gave them credit for 1 win.
bottom line this comes down to coaching, the players are as evenly matched as you can ask (one amendment,i have a feeling duncan plays odom more then pau, odom is much like david paul lmao david west).
spurs in 6 but i would not be surprised if it went 7.
and you are completely right austin, but the hornets where never supposed to be there in the 1st place and the spurs are expected to be there every year. that is where the difference in how people perceive the loss by the hornets
May 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
djKianoosh says:
but Austin, it didn’t seem like Paul and West or even Byron Scott “expected” to win like the Spurs did. Confident, cocky whatever. They got it done cause they believed it. Deep down I don’t think the Hornets really truly believed. you gotta believe!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:29 am
for real says:
Chuck, why the hell would anyone listen to you??
You can’t even S-P-E-L-L Knowledge
May 20th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Austin
The Hornets bench is thin, they tried to correct that trading for Bonzi and Mike James, but james is shooting like crap right now.
The Hornets were a top seed, but for them to think they had any shot at a title is just delsuional in my opinion.
Chris Paul and David West had great season’s, but with no bench, who are you gonna beat?
The hornets in my opinion DID have a great season, this is a season that they can build on, watch a ton of film, and see what they are missing, develop julian wright, draft a young center with a little more body to bang, let bonzi go and please don’t resign him, or chris anderson. They are definitely missing some peices. Just a few peices and they have a chip.
But in my opinion this season they were not a title contender. Nor were they a dissapointment. The Suns were a dissapointment, but not the Hornets.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@fo real
because your mother listens to me, when I tell her to swallow the shaft AND the base, then she gargles and spits! Breakfast of champions for the b*tch. LMAO!!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:47 am
for real says:
chuck, you a nasty ho’ yo’self
May 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am
SWAT says:
LMAO!! Wow chuck you tried to kill dude quick…funny though. On another note my ken folk was saying that “The Game” was on 106 and park the other day talking about how he hoops with Baron Davis in the offseason and how he seriously thinks he could take Kobe…all this while he was decked out in lakers gear. Please someone find a link so i can laugh my ass off. Fake ass master P trying to be a hoopstar…priceless.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
LMAO!!!
I didn’t know ho and yo’self were actual words? That must be from the dictionary of fo realbonics, a sourcce of eternal ignorance.
question
Why the f*ck would anyone get on a basketball site to insult another man and not have a single basketball fact to spew in his post?
Answer
Maybe because the a*shole needs something to do, like a job or some sh*t!
LMAO!!! I’m just messin wit you fo real! You did open yourself up for the verbal abuse though.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Celts Fan says:
I’d call it a great season for the Hornets. They arrived on a national stage, they got some much-needed experience as a favorite, CP3’s now the best PG in the league, Tyson Chandler is living up to the potential and hype he’s had since he was 15, David West IS a superstar Rafer, and they took the defending champs to 7 in the 2nd round. A young team doesn’t go from out of the Playoffs to holding a trophy in one year. It’s steps, and they took a HUGE step this year.
The Spurs on the other hand are the defending champs and their core all has 3 rings (some with 4) so the set of expectations is different for that situation.
and to the people arguing against my HOF Horry argument, when a guy has the most rings EVER by someone not on those Celtics teams, hit HUGE shots in just about every round of every year to get there, he should get inducted. No one’s denying that he is/was just a role player, but he is one of the best to ever do it and has a ton of rings to show for it. We ask guys to be “coachable” and not to try and do it all themselves. Horry’s that guy and now we’re discrediting him for not doing more.
Where does it say only superstars can be HOFers? An incredibly successful role player is more worthy of induction than a star who never won anything (to me anyway.)
May 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
Post 94 was directed at that Ru Paul/ 2nd pregnant man to ever exist/ he’s moving to California or Massachusetts because that’s the only place he can get married closet homosexual named FO REAL. LMAO!!!
Just In case anyone was confused.
LMAO!!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
DaPro says:
Horry is HOF material. He comes up clutch when it counts and adds “something” to every team he has ever been on.
Didn’t work out in Phoenix cause they wanted him to be the man but that’s not his game
May 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Dave says:
Austin…..like you said it’s all about expectations for NO and everyone else.
NO can say it was a great year because it’s the beginning edge of their run and there are plenty of opportunities to win ahead of them….not like the Suns, Mavs, or Spurs who are all older teams and don’t have the window of opportunity still wide open like NO does.
Now if NO doesn’t get the Conf. Finals next season but still win thier division it will feel like a poor season. Just ask Jazz fans…..
May 20th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Celts fan
Man you must have telekenetic powers or some sh*t cause you reading my mind
LMAO!!!
Exept for that Horry statement, but I guess I have to see you and Gee and the other million people against my opinion’s point.
I just have a different mindset when I think HOF, I think, being able to dominate on the drop of dime, or carrying a team to the chip. You might be right, I’m a have to sleep on it?
May 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Dave says:
100. I bet all you Laker fans are sweating now!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
I am Dave and I ain’t even a Laker fan like that lol.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
Eh ya’ll forreal, next year I might be coaching high school.
@Gee
you can be my defensive coordinator
@YoungFed
You can work with the players and teach em how to talk sh*t
@dave and rangerjohn
Dave can be the offensive coordinator and rangerjohn can work directly with the players and condition they lazy ass*s
@fo real
you can lead the chearleading team
LMAO!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
alex says:
“There are too many factors to consider regarding the Hornets. They are young, inexperienced in playoff basketball, their bench is pretty much crap and they were playing the defending world champions”
Yeah but Austin’s point was NOBODY was saying this when the Spurs lost the 1st two games. Almost everybody threw them under the bus and were on the Hornets’ bandwagon. And now that they’ve lost, everyone is looking at the silver lining – they’re not experienced, it was a good showing, they’re just going to get better etc etc. Nobody is pointing out that they had a commanding 2-0 lead and they seriously had the spurs on the ropes and they failed to close out. They blew it.
Nobody was saw the silver lining when Dallas blew a 2-0 lead against Miami in ‘06.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Will says:
I just got to vent here. I hate the word “chip” as slang for championship. I FUCKING HATE IT. I get ’ship. It’s short for cahampionship. I’m not a tottaly square cat. I just don’t get “chip”!! Everything about a “chip” is small an insignificant. I know people don’t mean “chip” in the literal term but damn, I hear the word “chip” I just think of something small. Can’t you guys come up with something more fitting?
May 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Austin Burton says:
Not to mention they lost Game 7 at home, and home teams win like 80% of Game 7’s.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Dave says:
Hey Chuck, you realize we’d run Sloan’s sets and GEE would only give me a year or two before he showed me the door if we don’t win the title even if we only have one kid over 5′11….can I get a golden parachute in my contract just in case?
May 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Dave says:
Will…..when in Rome….
May 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Austin and Alex
I see your point.
People were on the side of the Hornets not because they hate the spurs though, but because they love underdogs. That’s why people loved the Golden state and Dallas series, becuase the world has that David and Goliath syndrome, it points to something within themselves that makes them believe they can overachieve, I know that sounds like some oprah type sh*t, but it’s true.
@will
chip is just the ch from champion and the ip from ship, chip, chips are tasty, perfectly compiment any sandwhich and your never just satisfied with one. LOL!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Oscarisalakerfan says:
Go LAkeshowwww!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
i think gasol and odom are going to give duncan trouble with their length and athletic ability…..the only problem could potentially be parker but i think fishy could potentially slow him down enough for the lakeshow to pull it out….ginobili will be guarded by kobe and when hes not we got one of the best perimeter defenders in the game with ariza……hes back !!!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@Dave
LMAO!!!
Don’t worry, I’d be the head coach, we’d have a high school dynasty, and we would have a great recruiter, so if he came back with no one over 5′11 we’d fire his a*s!But never you
LMAO!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
alex says:
@celts – i see your comment about how teams take ’steps’ to win the championship. i share the same idea – there are no shortcuts to success (unless you cheat or win the lottery!). Shouldn’t this idea apply to your celtics too?
I like their intensity and defense but I just don’t think Doc is the guy to bring them the ’ship.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
DaPro says:
I see the point about NO but Austin you forgot the whole “feel good” story about NO being hit by Katrina.
The league wants to promote NO and show case one of its young stars in Paul.
I don’t think I could have taken a Kobe CP3 love fest from the announcers. I’d have to seriously kill someone.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
Chuck that is cool. We gone run man D, zone and 1, 2/3, 2-1-2, full court press, half court traps, pressure D. It will be real nasty. Hard fouls and intimidation. LOL
Youngfed gone get the team some techs lol.
Dave will hopefully not have us doing nothing but the pick and roll lol. Yea Dave you got 2 years lol just kidding.
Chuck what is your game plan?
lol a ship y’all? Be serious that sounds corny. That chip is just what’s up. Think Casino Chips. You are always trying to get more. Not ships lol no boats.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Kermit Washington says:
Yo I HAAAATE how TNT and ABC show montages of people’s facial expressions during the game…who came up with that? SHOW the FREAKIN’ REPLAYS!! Something sick will happen, and you’re like ok any minute now they’re gonna replay it…and then they cut to a slow motion clip of Timmy glaring at a ref. What the $%#& is that?
May 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
girlybballluver says:
Gee…that date will be interesting to say the least. But since I won (thank you spurs) I don’t have to pick up the check
May 20th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@GEE
I’ll watch all the film, spot the other teams weaknesses and exploit them, find the strengths and eliminate them, report to Dave which teams defend the pick and roll the best and what adjustments to make, determine who should start and come off the bench, change the lineups aacordingly, you know, all that head honcho sh*t. LOL!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Dave says:
offense will be lots of motion, hard cuts to the basket, and an inside-out approach always in the half court, push hard in transition always looking up the court. Pick and roll would be much less effective I think in h.s. unless Youngfed can find us a pg that can hit and drive, then the pick and roll is a catalyst offense to get him in the lane.
we also need to have an Oakley type to enforce, or Rafael Araujo could do the trick, he’s probably free these days.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Dave says:
Kermit, I’m with you. I wish just one director would have a clue about the game instead of being a chess master who happens to direct tv basketball games. Our local Jazz tv director always cuts to the under-the-basket camera every time it looks like there will be a dunk and it’s the worst possible angle. He’s related to the Fokker’s I think, at least that’s what I keep calling him.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Celts Fan says:
Alex, the steps idea is really more for younger teams. The Celtics key guys have all been to the Playoffs and experienced that intensity before (albeit on their own teams previously.) Their bar was conference finals or failure since they’re such an old team, so there wasn’t the whole aspect of guys never having been to the Playoffs, etc. so to use that same analogy, they skip a few steps. (I haven’t really thought this out, I just believe young teams slowly take steps in that direction. An older team that comes together like the Celtics or the Heat a few years ago essentially jumps towards the end of the process where if you don’t get to at least the conference finals, it’s a failed year.)
“I like their intensity and defense but I just don’t think Doc is the guy to bring them the ’ship.” – Couldn’t agree more. I feel like how Kings fans must’ve felt 8 years ago, knowing Adelman was jsut good enough to get your there and just bad enough to keep you from getting that chip, but that you’re stuck with him throughout the run, so you just have to hope.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Repost from yest:
I am so happy to not hear that Ric Flair “Wooo!” bullshasha anymore…is Chris Paul gonna have to hear that junk after hitting a free throw for the rest of his Hornets career by the way?
LAKERS fans, so many of you were hoping the Spurs would get by N’awlins to make your path to the title easier (laughable man), well, be careful what you wish for because it may come back to haunt you…
. . . . .
Did you see Horry hit those cheap shots? oh wait, those were 3-pointers, muhahahaaa…
RangerJ was right, Bonzi was the worst player in the playoffs, he got in for about 5 minutes and just looked god-awful out there.
Peja will have to get a TRACHEOTOMY he choked so hard, get the man a new larynx and esophagus, too. Anatomical humor, bwakakaka, *cough*
. . . . . .
Almost forgot, did y’all see “Nature Boy’s” combover? That was awesome…like “Woooo!” no the hell he didn’t!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Dave says:
SAS Sizzle…..TRACHEOTOMY, freakin hilarious!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@SAS sizzle
LMAO!!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
JoeGym says:
@ Coach T-Sun: The fact that TP & DWill sacrifice their games & stats for team success says everything you need to know about them both.
And I hate the Jazz for the stunts they pulled on the Rox like not starting the clock in a playoff game & Malone bear-hugging Clyde so Stockton could hit that 3 in ‘97.
@ Gee & the Horry belongs in the HOF posters: Check out Houston Rocket Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy’s radio show, its a running them on his show in Houston.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Celts Fan says:
SAS, just cuz NO is out doesn’t mean the Nature Boy is gone. Teams have been ripping that off the entire playoffs (it’s pretty shameful.) All it means now is you have to hear it from someone too unoriginal to come up with their own idea. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Joegem@hotmail.com says:
^ that should say a running theme on his show
I caught a whiff of Karl Malone syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBeAmIMtly4
May 20th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Celts Fan says:
Just for the hell of it, I’d love to see another team take that wrestling idea and use The Macho Man instead. Every made bucket could be, “Ooooooh yaaaaaaaa.”
May 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
BxBaller says:
Pargo has that Iron Man face.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
alex says:
Just for the hell of it, I’d love to see another team take that wrestling idea and use The Macho Man instead. Every made bucket could be, “Ooooooh yaaaaaaaa.” – this sh*t would be even funnier and more annoying at the same time than the “woooooooo!”
in any case, good points about boston’s steps. i don’t know why, but watching the cavs-celts games, it seems that the court is so small and cramped. terrible spacing between players!. no offense, but the celts are guilty of probably 20 defensive 3 second violations per game.
for some reason, i think ray allen will play much better against rip, than he did against wally world. maybe he was depressed or insulted by the thought of having to guard the slowest starting 2 guard in the league.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
GEE...My knee bone's connected to my hardy-har-har-har says:
If we using one liners I like Booker T’s “Now can you dig it …Sucka!” lol.
girly um good luck and I am glad the Spurs helped you out lol.
Chuck that sounds like a dynasty to me lol. We will run teams out the gym. Only thing that can get us is injuries or Stern being your boss lol.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Pargo did have that Iron Man face, no doubt! I like the Macho Man idea, throw out some beef jerky at halftime.
SNAP IT TO A SLIM JIM
May 20th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
rangerjohn says:
LMAO SAS!
wow did natureboy look bad! I MEAN DAMN THAT WAS THE WORST SPRAY ON TAN I EVER SAW.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
HORRY = CLUTCH
You could put him in the HOF and I wouldn’t argue, if not I am sure he is satisfied with all those CHIPS, hehehe
May 20th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
K Dizzle says:
Chicago with the no.1
May 20th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Hey Chuck #75
If you think Horry didn’t ever carry a team to victory then you didn’t watch 2005 Finals Game 5 where he single-handedly lifted the Spurs to victory in one of the greatest clutch performances in the history of the NBA.
Granted he didn’t start to do anything until the last 5 seconds of the 3rd quarter but he buried so many shots in the 4th quarter and overtime (including a sick left-handed dunk And-1 over Rip and the game winning trey in OT over Prince), most people wouldn’t hit that many great shots in a lifetime.
Whomever said he is not clutch is just…jeez. He is the greatest clutch performer in playoff history, c’mon.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:18 am
marcus says:
man… i still hate peja
puck feja
May 21st, 2008 at 8:19 am
Celts Fan says:
Umm, SAS, any greatest clutch performers in Playoff history list has to start with MJ, Kobe and Jerry West. Horry’s right up there with Reggie Miller, Isiah, and Larry Bird after that in the next tier, but greatest clutch Playoff player ever is a bit of a stretch (though the fact you can even make that argument proves he should be in the Hall.)
May 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
doc says:
Horry is Okay cut out the BS.If he make the HOF I aint mad but greatest in the clutch cut it the fuck out.Austin it was a good season from NO.People was talking shit because they hate the Spurs.That 80% shit means nothing for the next game.