Official 2008 NBA Playoffs Thread

[scubasteve06]

Before you say "everyone" go back and check out my posts.
I'm not saying he's a bad player or anything, but, he does carry the ball. If you watch him it's not hard to see, lots of players do, but the high profile guys will get the most pub from it.

BTW, he wasn't saying that J-Will is an all star, he was just refering to his handle's, and the guy can handle a ball.

I shouldn't have included the word everyone, sorry yoshi... I just saw that post and had to vent I am mad my team lost last night, but no one said anything on how stellar of a game Lebron actually played last night. Pierce and James basically said ok forget D'n up and lets just ball. The defense bewtween the two made the series until last night when both went off. Of course people are going to criticize, when your called King and are on top of the media hype of course people are going to take shots and try to pull him down. Remember Kobe lost the last 3 years in the 1st round after shaq left. It took two other substantial role players to elevate the lakers and kobe to where they are now. Wally and Ben are not those role players and everyone know's it. I'd love to see Jared Bayless or Derick Rose SOMEHOW go to the cavs, that would be a squad with rose or bayless running point and taking away those times in the 4th when Lebron runs the point, they could distribute it to him and just let him get to the basket, the guy is 6'9 250, anyone ever watch him play TE in HS? He would have revolutionized the way football is played, imagine a Randy Moss +5" and 60lbs of muscle streaking down the field for the TD. I guess what I am trying to say is Lebron is a great athlete period, he's a natural. Sorry for my rant.

 

[hamato_yoshii]

I shouldn't have included the word everyone, sorry yoshi... I just saw that post and had to vent I am mad my team lost last night, but no one said anything on how stellar of a game Lebron actually played last night. Pierce and James basically said ok forget D'n up and lets just ball. The defense bewtween the two made the series until last night when both went off. Of course people are going to criticize, when your called King and are on top of the media hype of course people are going to take shots and try to pull him down. Remember Kobe lost the last 3 years in the 1st round after shaq left. It took two other substantial role players to elevate the lakers and kobe to where they are now. Wally and Ben are not those role players and everyone know's it. I'd love to see Jared Bayless or Derick Rose SOMEHOW go to the cavs, that would be a squad with rose or bayless running point and taking away those times in the 4th when Lebron runs the point, they could distribute it to him and just let him get to the basket, the guy is 6'9 250, anyone ever watch him play TE in HS? He would have revolutionized the way football is played, imagine a Randy Moss +5" and 60lbs of muscle streaking down the field for the TD. I guess what I am trying to say is Lebron is a great athlete period, he's a natural. Sorry for my rant.

No probs scuba

I would agree that not only is Lebron a amazing athlete, he is an unbelievable basketball player, and will go down as an all time great. Are point was simply about his dribbling skills, and the calls that he gets. First, I think that if you watch closely you will see that he does carry the ball, and often. He's not the only one who does it, but he has the ball alot. Second, he does get a lot of calls that other players don't get, but really it's not his fault because the league honors players like Lebron by giving him calls. The NBA wants exciting games, and that means lots of drives and dunks, and if you do it, they reward you. Our argument is just from an objective basketball observation on his overall game.

The Kobe comparison is a little off though. First, becasue there has been a big gap between the East and West for some time (although I think it's gonna change soon), and that plays a big factor in playoff appearances and successes. Second, who are the 2 substantial role players? I know Gasol, but are you talking about Bynum? He has been out for a while now and they haven't exactly gone in the tank. Also Lebron and Kobe are different players, with different skill sets. Overall though the things that Kobe does better, leads to the idea that he is a better player, regardless of the team.

 

[deangelo]

hey lebron is a freight train as i said no one stops him when he gets a full head of steam traveling or not when james gets a step on you he's gonna finish strong...

give the guy a little more time he's only 23, and i agree with yoshi, kobe= different skill and different position than james..i believe that james CAN and WILL average a triple double before his career is over.

And Jason williams has mad handles...

 

[hamato_yoshii]

So, do we all think SA is going to win tonight? I thought scuba said he was pulling for NO, but that doesn't always mean you think they're gonna win...

 

[scubasteve06]

And Jason williams has mad handles...

I like your style son...

 

[scubasteve06]

No probs scuba

I would agree that not only is Lebron a amazing athlete, he is an unbelievable basketball player, and will go down as an all time great. Are point was simply about his dribbling skills, and the calls that he gets. First, I think that if you watch closely you will see that he does carry the ball, and often. He's not the only one who does it, but he has the ball alot. Second, he does get a lot of calls that other players don't get, but really it's not his fault because the league honors players like Lebron by giving him calls. The NBA wants exciting games, and that means lots of drives and dunks, and if you do it, they reward you. Our argument is just from an objective basketball observation on his overall game.

The Kobe comparison is a little off though. First, becasue there has been a big gap between the East and West for some time (although I think it's gonna change soon), and that plays a big factor in playoff appearances and successes. Second, who are the 2 substantial role players? I know Gasol, but are you talking about Bynum? He has been out for a while now and they haven't exactly gone in the tank. Also Lebron and Kobe are different players, with different skill sets. Overall though the things that Kobe does better, leads to the idea that he is a better player, regardless of the team.

I was talking about Odom who really has stepped up lately. Bynumthat big hunking hulk of meat, lol, Bynum will come into his own but I will always compare big men to O'neal, and Duncan and he's no O'neal or Duncan, the two best big men of my generation, so far. The durants and marion's I think are the new generation of 4 posistion players. Break away speed, finesse in the paint, and are able to get to the hoop as a 2 or 3 guard would. Now marion's team on the other hand the Heat...another story lol, sorry onion. At least you all will get Rose or Bayless, I will be very excited to see one of those two playing with wade, and marion.

 

[scubasteve06]

So, do we all think SA is going to win tonight? I thought scuba said he was pulling for NO, but that doesn't always mean you think they're gonna win...

Of course I'm pulling for NO! Knowing my predictions though they will lose and the spurs will go on to yet another conf. finals. I would love to see a Boston vs. Spurs Matchup or Boston vs. Lakers finals those teams would give the best entertainment for the fans that love dunks and the fans that love good ol' fundamental defense and basketball, btw I think Ginobli is the man, that man plays with a lot of heart, he reminds me of MJ in that fact, but lets not go putting anymore crowns as we all know who wears the crown LOL!

 

[hamato_yoshii]

I am really hoping that the Spurs win tonight, and I think they will. I love NO, or really just CP3 and West (maybe Byron Scott too), but for pure basketball fans, there will be two awesome series to watch between Detroit-Boston, and SA-LA. Any of those teams could win the title, and thats how it should be. The talent on those teams is unreal, and NO's time just isn't here yet. Now if they beat SA tonight, all bets are off, I think LA would win, but you can only bet against a team for so long....

 

[hamato_yoshii]

I was talking about Odom who really has stepped up lately. Bynumthat big hunking hulk of meat, lol, Bynum will come into his own but I will always compare big men to O'neal, and Duncan and he's no O'neal or Duncan, the two best big men of my generation, so far. The durants and marion's I think are the new generation of 4 posistion players. Break away speed, finesse in the paint, and are able to get to the hoop as a 2 or 3 guard would. Now marion's team on the other hand the Heat...another story lol, sorry onion. At least you all will get Rose or Bayless, I will be very excited to see one of those two playing with wade, and marion.

Oh, if your talking about Odom, he's been there for a while, meaning during the 3 years of no success you were talking about with Kobe.

 

[scubasteve06]

Oh, if your talking about Odom, he's been there for a while, meaning during the 3 years of no success you were talking about with Kobe.

Yes but they didn't have a true center in all those 3 years. If you don't have any presence in the paint you will have a hard time penetrating the weaker side or getting select perimeter shots, a great example of this is the spurs. Ginobli wouldn't get half the shots he does without duncan's presence.