Official 2008 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Kobeclone]

you've been absolutely correct in everything so far. There are just too many variables that can affect the outcome of the series. I love this series because it's not an underdog story like the superbowl...it's gonna be a true clash of the titans!!!















well, at least I hope it will be

When was the last time an NBA championship was this star studded? MAYBE 76ers vs Lakers when Kobe, Shaq, and Iverson were there...

 

[Onion01]

When was the last time an NBA championship was this star studded? MAYBE 76ers vs Lakers when Kobe, Shaq, and Iverson were there...

AAAAAAAA, don't get me so excited!!! I can't wait for the big game 1. Who do you think will set the tone for the whole series?

 

[Kobeclone]

AAAAAAAA, don't get me so excited!!! I can't wait for the big game 1. Who do you think will set the tone for the whole series?

I hate to state the obvious, but Bryant. As I said, I believe he will come out in Game 1 in the 1st quarter and throw down 15 or more in order to shake the jitters of his less experienced teammates...

Whether he says it or not, this championship will mean so much more to him than the 3 championships during the dynasty years. This championship will be his, and he won't have to share the glory with Shaq. This championship will only validate that he is quickly approching MJ's legacy. These reasons will make him work that much harder in these Finals.

How far do you think he is away from Jordan? I will always say Kobe is the best true talent to ever play, but MJ's rings don't lie. If Kobe wins this title, and 2 more, I say he eclipses Jordan's great legacy of the best player to ever play the game...

 

[Onion01]

I hate to state the obvious, but Bryant. As I said, I believe he will come out in Game 1 in the 1st quarter and throw down 15 or more in order to shake the jitters of his less experienced teammates...

Whether he says it or not, this championship will mean so much more to him than the 3 championships during the dynasty years. This championship will be his, and he won't have to share the glory with Shaq. This championship will only validate that he is quickly approching MJ's legacy. These reasons will make him work that much harder in these Finals.

How far do you think he is away from Jordan? I will always say Kobe is the best true talent to ever play, but MJ's rings don't lie. If Kobe wins this title, and 2 more, I say he eclipses Jordan's great legacy of the best player to ever play the game...

kobe has more pure talent than any player I've ever seen...ever. I totally agree with you there. But MJ was...well, MJ. He had more than just skill. He had a broad vision of the game that is so far unmatched. He turned above average players into all stars (pippin, rodman). He turned an average franchise into a dynasty. What's missing in kobe is what was MJ's true talent: making the others around him better. Once kobe learns that, well...he will be truly unstoppable. There I go again with the goosebumps

 

[scubasteve06]

I want kobe to win another one and many more and be in his own league but at the same time like jordan its what every player wants to be compared to the best but in their own right be their own player. I think you all are counting out KG, Allen's, and Pierce's determination also to even get this far when they never have before. I think it will be one of the best series to ever go down at least in my generation, and I hope this happens every year. Its great for the league and great for the fans, I want KG, Pierce, and Allen to win a ring so bad I can't even imagine how bad they want it. I still say lakers in 6 though, unless pure determination on the part of three spectacular players can defeat one.

 

[Kobeclone]

kobe has more pure talent than any player I've ever seen...ever. I totally agree with you there. But MJ was...well, MJ. He had more than just skill. He had a broad vision of the game that is so far unmatched. He turned above average players into all stars (pippin, rodman). He turned an average franchise into a dynasty. What's missing in kobe is what was MJ's true talent: making the others around him better. Once kobe learns that, well...he will be truly unstoppable. There I go again with the goosebumps

Well, I am biased. But IMO, I feel Kobe is in the process of learning that. He went from beginning the season wanting out, to making the best of it, and greatly improving his teammates. He has turned into a leader this year, and I believe he is making his teammates better, but not to Jordan's extent. I believe that next season, championship or not, he will be approaching Jordan's skill of making his teammates better.

 

[hamato_yoshii]

Well ,it's nice to see everybody holding hands, do I need to come in here and shake it up now?

 

[Kobeclone]

Well ,it's nice to see everybody holding hands, do I need to come in here and shake it up now?

Yeah, or you could go cry like a baby like Sheed and Rip.

He He He, Rip, just like the Piston's chances of ever winning a championship again

 

[Onion01]

Well, I am biased. But IMO, I feel Kobe is in the process of learning that. He went from beginning the season wanting out, to making the best of it, and greatly improving his teammates. He has turned into a leader this year, and I believe he is making his teammates better, but not to Jordan's extent. I believe that next season, championship or not, he will be approaching Jordan's skill of making his teammates better.

okay, now you have to explain your reasoning behind this

Well ,it's nice to see everybody holding hands, do I need to come in here and shake it up now?

total agreement is no fun, right? lol

Yeah, or you could go cry like a baby like Sheed and Rip.

He He He, Rip, just like the Piston's chances of ever winning a championship again

ouch...

 

[pdbrady]

wow, lot's of good points were made. A little heat, but that's settled down. Can't you guys control yourselves when I'm not here? lol

here's how i see it...
this is going to be an awesome series. much better than that awful spurs-cavs we had to choke down last year. One one hand, we have the king of clutch, the (arguably) next michael jordan (I don't care how much kobe tried to down play that in the interview, he was LOVING it). A man who can put up 30 points without even trying, and 40+ if you let him. Accompanying him is a 7'1" monster center who can shoot the ball like a guard and move like a forward, as well as a superb forward who loves to fit himself in as the third scoring/leading rebounder and will be the second option if the situation calls for it. There is an entire supporting cast behind these figures who are sure to fill in all the gaps they may leave behind.
On the other hand we have an older team, yet one laden with talent. These are players who their entire lives have dominated the court, putting up consistently high numbers and leading their teams in virtually all statistics. However, they have never laid their hands on the big prize. Despite their talent, they have been denied a supporting cast good enough to propel them past mediocrity. The truth is becoming frighteningly clear to them: we are good, but we NEED to win a championship lest we go down in history as goods, but not greats. So they have come together. Wise in years, but rookies in playoff experience. What they have most valuable to them is not their talent, but their unselfishness driven by a need to win. This has been their recipe for success during the regular season.

So what does it come down to? For the lakers, they must use their young talent and playoff experience to the max. For the celtics, their desire to win must overcome and master their three biggest foes: inexperience, fear, and kobe bryant.

Whoever uses what they have to the fullest, and is best able to overcome their weaknesses will take the championship. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it...

Holy crap......TNT/ESPN/ABC is going to steal this for their game 1 opening show!! You know, with images of Kobe flying, Garnett dunking, Gasol standing on his tip toes and dunking, the big 3 (as much as I hate that title) holding their jerseys after signing, Fisher hitting a 3.......