Congrats to you guys' squad for dispatching of the Jazz so quickly and earning some much needed rest. I think the Rockets are gonna eliminate Portland tonight too, so you guys will be playing them next round. Houston is a terrible matchup for Portland, but not so much for the Lakers. The Lakers have the size to slow them down, and the Rockets can't score enough points. Dang, i really wish Portland could have played the Lakeshow though. They're the only team i really feel as though could take the Lakers to 7 games. But, it wasn't meant to be.
By the way, do you guys really need Luke Walton? Is his injury that important to their title chances?
At least I won't feel torn between the two teams since LA and Portland aren't squaring off this year.
Damn, Boston won. Ah well, it looks like the series may be over. If Chicago wins this next game, they're likely to lose Game 7 in Boston.
The Lakers (expectedly) disposed of the Jazz in 5 games. I'm actually pretty surprised (and frightened) it took five. The Lakers could have swept the series but for one thing - they keep throwing away leads. They did it in all 5 games at one point in every game. It's gotta be pretty worrying for The Zen Master because you will not always regain leads you blow. If the Jazz executed better on offense and got those key stops, this series could have gotten to 7, and with a few lucky points, the Jazz could have pulled off an upset. To say the Lakers have not been at their best in the playoffs so far would be the equivalent of saying someone with swine flu is ill. At best, Andrew Bynum has been average and at his worst, a liability. He's gotten into unnecessary foul trouble and has not been the dominant force in the paint that he can be. In a matchup against the Rockets, that could be catastrophic as Yao is a lockdown in the post on both ends. But for Trevor Ariza and perhaps Lamar Odom, their bench has not been as effective as it can be and they will need them, especially if they face Cleveland in the Finals. Most importantly, Kobe Bryant needs to be a bit more dominant. In Game 3, he went 5-of-24. Now i know we haven't witnessed armageddon since then but what the fuck was that all about? I don't need to reiterate this any longer, but the Lakers' success on the court often depends of Bryant's productivity on offense. Whenever his shots aren't falling, rather than him just chucking it over and over, it would serve him (and the team) better to look for other guys who could perhaps be having a better night. You do the selfish thing in the regular season, not in the playoffs, especially on the road. Nonetheless, the Lakers have a lot to be positive about. They are doing well on the boards, their defense is okay and can be better and Lamar Odom is coming off the bench to do some nice things. Of course, the injuries to Farmar and Walton are worrying, especially the former (Derek Fisher could have trouble with the quick hands and feet of Aaron Brooks and could possibly be in some foul trouble). As long as they stick to Big Phil's plans, execute on offense and Bynum asserts himself more, this playoff adventure could get even longer and sweeter eventually.
Wow, this Boston/Bulls series is INSANE! Game 6 goes to triple overtime and the BULLS end up winning!! artyman: Game 7!! Unfortunately, it will be in Boston.
And where the HeLL IS BRYANT? Mr. Chicago. I would think you'd be showing some love for the Bulls this series. Bryant, did you see the game yesterday?!!! Are you going to watch game 7 on Saturday?!! :smt077
I'm here! The sad thing about this series is, i really like the Bulls. Derrick Rose is one of my favorite players. But dangit, why did they have to play the Celtics? Anyway, that game last night left a real bad taste in my mouth. The whole series has been that way. Blown opportunity, after blown opportunity for the Celtics. If they lose, they deserve it. They had their chances. Ray Allen is hitting every single shot he puts up, yet Rondo is the last one who shoots? Pierce turns the ball over, and then fouls Noah for a 3 point play? Big Baby fouls and puts them on the line, even though there is enough time to get a stop? OMG, i just can't stand so much stupidity and mental errors from one team. As a basketball fan, i couldn't ask for a better game, but as a fan of the Celtics, their mental mistakes in this series have been beyond awful. I really have no idea whose going to win game 7. All i can do, is hope that they stop being stupid and start playing smart. If they finally do that, it shouldn't be a problem.
No doubt. This series is completely in Boston's favor, yet, somehow, the Bulls keep coming back. I have to hand it to the Bulls. I have a newfound respect for them. They are still a young team and have so much potential. This series has made them grow and learn far more than any other games they've played in the past few years. If the Bulls miraculously win Game 7, I'm going to be beyond impressed.
ehh, not a sweep but I call a 4-2 Lakers. (this is a worst case scenario) But, if the Lakers play as they should, it will be a 4-1 or possibly sweep. (a likely/best case scenario) I'm definitely not worried about the Rockets, though.
Bryant, you've been awfully quiet for a Bulls fan. I would expect you to be dissecting shit over here seeing as your team just won't roll over and beg. Unfortunately, the honeymoon will be over in Beantown. I just think the Celts would be a bit too fired up and ready to go. I genuinely believe the Bulls have a shot but they're inexperienced in these situations and will not be able to match Boston's intensity. I hope i'm wrong in this because I want Chicago to advance but i dpn't see it happening. My team (the Miami Heat) has been inconsistent and could very well bow out tonight. I went to see them in Game 3 in the Arena and it's the best they've played in the series so far. If only they could match that effort. The rest of team needs to step up if they are going to have an outside chance of picking up the remaining two games. Dwayne Wade, for all his talents, simply cannot do it alone. Jermaine O'Neal has been inconsequential at best and has at times looked lost and confused. He needs to get his head out of the sand and man up. My second favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers, have things a bit brighter for them. I've analysed them better in a previous post, but all things being the same, if they find a way to neutralize Yao Ming, they should do well. BTW, the irony of the Rockets advancing past the 1st round without Tracy McGrady isn't lost on me, but i digress. Luis Scola isn't a lockdown defender in the paint, and I believe Kobe has the skills necessary to give Ron Ron a headache. The Rockets play a good game on D, but i worry about their offensive power. They did not score more than 90 in Games 3 - 5 against Portland. Aaron Brooks could make D Fish work hard though. Nonetheless, if the Lakers play with the intensity they play with against big teams, this series should not even get to 6.
I really like the Bulls as my second favorite team (which is why i'm pissed that they lost the last game of the season against Toronto, which could have allowed them to avoid Boston). I hate rooting against the Bulls, and would be rooting for them if they were playing against any other team. I thought Miami was going to win the series after they went up to Atlanta and beat them down, but after Wade hurt his back, he hasn't looked the same. I was really looking forward to a Wade vs. LeBron showdown because anything could happen in that series.
Yeah, i think even if the Rockets play their best, they can't win more than a couple games. The Lakers swept them in the regular season if i'm not mistaken. Dang, Portland would have given the Lakers a much better series than Houston will. I guess i just have to wait for the Nuggets to play the Lakers and hope they can get into a few shootouts.
So the Heat/Hawks series is also going to 7 games. This could get interesting. I say the Heat are going to come out on top. Oh, and there will definitely be an altercation or two at some point in the game. (same goes for the Bulls/Celtics Game 7) I can't wait. :smt077
