missfee said:

Empress said:

missfee said: I think you might be right. The Raptors have not played well at all. Let's not forget that both teams had 51 wins this season. We just can't control LeBron and we haven't been making our shots. Oh well. At this point I'd like to see any teams In the final other than the Cavs and GS.

Well, my Warriors and the Cavs are pretty much looking like they will see each other again in the Finals at this point. It seems that Houston will be the only challenge to GSW from the West, as they are pretty much the only team that is on GSW's level but I don't see Houston beating GSW in the WCF. If the Wizards are able to get past the Celtics and meet up with the Cavs in the ECF, I believe they will present the Cavs with some problems, but they may not be able to beat them in an upset. Plus, the Wizards sort of wear their hearts on their sleeves. If they think the Celtics are too physical, the Cavs are worse.

Houston or San Antonio will be lukcy to win ONE game against Golden State - same with Cleveland. LeBron doesn't have enough to beat the Warriors, because of Durant.

On another note, LaVar Ball's mouth is writing some pretty big checks that I don't think his son can cash.

[Edited 5/9/17 5:56am]

uPtoWnNY said:

missfee said:

Well, my Warriors and the Cavs are pretty much looking like they will see each other again in the Finals at this point. It seems that Houston will be the only challenge to GSW from the West, as they are pretty much the only team that is on GSW's level but I don't see Houston beating GSW in the WCF. If the Wizards are able to get past the Celtics and meet up with the Cavs in the ECF, I believe they will present the Cavs with some problems, but they may not be able to beat them in an upset. Plus, the Wizards sort of wear their hearts on their sleeves. If they think the Celtics are too physical, the Cavs are worse.

Houston or San Antonio will be lukcy to win ONE game against Golden State - same with Cleveland. LeBron doesn't have enough to beat the Warriors, because of Durant.

On another note, LaVar Ball's mouth is writing some pretty big checks that I don't think his son can cash.

I'm damn near sick of this troll. One thing's for sure, he can certainly get folks talking about him. No one knew who the hell he was a few months back, now he's been invited to First Take and Undisputed multiple times. Those shoes are straight garbage but you'll have some idiots buying it just because of all the hype. I get his concept, to brand everything yourself, but his method in doing it is all wrong. He couldn't even answer half the questions Skip was posing to him on Undisputed yesterday. How do you have a product selling for that much money and you don't even know the sales figures? I guess he failed his business administration classes in community college. It's only a matter of time before someone digs up some skeletons that this clown has buried somewhere and expose him.

Oh and don't forget, there are no refunds or exchanges on the $495 sneakers or the $220 sandals. So if your shoes come with dried up elmer's glue on the side, you're out of luck.

I feel sorry for Lonzo....soon as he steps foot on an NBA court, the sharks will definitely be circling.

[Edited 5/9/17 7:37am]

Pussy ass Spurs.

missfee said:

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, 1st Round

Game 2

Chicago Bulls 111 Boston Celtics 97

The Boston Celtics may have been drained emotionally from the first game in the wake of the tragic death of the sister of point guard Isaiah Thomas, and it could explain their otherwise lackluster performance in game 1. They were determined to come out much more strong in game 2.

And early on they did. But the Bulls would weather the early storm, and their defense would take over. Chicago responded with a 20-4 run. Boston's early rebounding edge evaporated just as fast, with all five Bulls starters grabbing an offensive rebound in the first six minutes of action. Chicago forced 16 turnovers on the Celtics leading to 23 points. Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 22 points each while Robin Lopez finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. While the Celtics were able to hold off Bobby Portis in this game, they didn't have an answer for Paul Zipser, who scored 16 points off the bench. Maenwhile, Rajon Rondo finished just short of a triple double, scoring 11 points, dishing out 14 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds while also stealing the ball five times. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 20 points while Jae Crowder finished with 16 points and Marcus Smart added 13 points off the bench.

Chicago leads series 2-0.

Bulls have been playing like they are out for blood lately!!!! Love it! Jimmy Buckets is a beast!!!

The Bulls are frauds.

Graycap23 said:

missfee said:

Bulls have been playing like they are out for blood lately!!!! Love it! Jimmy Buckets is a beast!!!

The Bulls are frauds.

The Bulls were laying the wood to Boston when Rondo was healthy. It would have been poetic

justice for Rondo had he remained healthy shooting and dishing the rock to his teammates.

Boston had no answer for Rondo. Unfortunately injuries happen and Boston did what they were

supposed to do take advantage of his absence. Certainly not the Celtics problem and I hate the

Celtics.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 4

Golden State Warriors 121 Utah Jazz 95

The Golden State Warriors wanted to close out this series as quickly as they could, and they wasted no time dispatching the Utah Jazz, storming out to a 24 point lead by the beginning of the second quarter. The Jazz would make their own run in the second quarter to cut the Warriors lead to eight by halftime. They would come within six points a couple times in the third quarter.

But each tikme the Jazz made a run to narrow the lead, the Warriors found a way to extend it back to double digits, and by the fourth quarter they pulled away for the victory and the series win. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points while Klay Thompson scored 21 points, Kevin Durant scored 18 points, and Draymond Green got a triple double, finishing with 17 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Gordon Heyward led the Jazz with 25 points while Shelvin Mack added 18 points, Dante Exum added 15 points, and Rudy Gobert scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a losing effort. The Warriors now await the winner of the Spurs-Rockets series.

Golden State wins series 4-0.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Houston Rockets 107 San Antonio Spurs 110 F/OT

The San Antonio Spurs had some momentum going into game 4 but lost that when the Houston Rockets rediscovered their 3-point shooting to even up the series. The Spurs were hoping some home cooking would get their team back on track while the Rockets knew they had to win a game in the Alamo city in order to advance to the Western Conference Finals. But they would have to do that without Nene, who suffered a torn hip adductor injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The Spurs and Rockets would go back and forth for about the first three quarters, with their respective leaders making the charge. The Rockets' James Harden would get a triple double, scoring 33 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but he sprained his ankle after landing on James Harden's foot in the third quarter and only played limited minutes in the fourth before sitting out the rest of the game.

But the Spurs would be carried by their supporting cast. Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Manu Ginobili would come up huge down the stretch. Patty Mills scored 20 points in this game while Danny Green and Manu Ginobili kept the Spurs close with some huge baskets, taking a two point lead with seconds remaining in regulation. But after Houston tied the game, Patty Mills attempted a jumper in the closing seconds which bounced off the rim and sent the game into overtime.

The overtime period became the Danny Green show, as he scored seven of his 16 points in the extra period. But after scoring 12 points , dishing out seven assists, and grabbing six rebounds, Manu Ginobili made the most critical play of the game, blocking a James Harden 3-point attempt in the closing seconds of overtime to seal the victory. LaMarcus Aldrige added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs while Jonathon Simmons added 12 points. Patrick Beverley scored 20 points for the Rockets while Ryan Anderson added 19 points and seven rebounds.

San Antonio leads series 3-2.

728huey said:

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Houston Rockets 107 San Antonio Spurs 110 F/OT

The San Antonio Spurs had some momentum going into game 4 but lost that when the Houston Rockets rediscovered their 3-point shooting to even up the series. The Spurs were hoping some home cooking would get their team back on track while the Rockets knew they had to win a game in the Alamo city in order to advance to the Western Conference Finals. But they would have to do that without Nene, who suffered a torn hip adductor injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The Spurs and Rockets would go back and forth for about the first three quarters, with their respective leaders making the charge. The Rockets' James Harden would get a triple double, scoring 33 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but he sprained his ankle after landing on James Harden's foot in the third quarter and only played limited minutes in the fourth before sitting out the rest of the game.

But the Spurs would be carried by their supporting cast. Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Manu Ginobili would come up huge down the stretch. Patty Mills scored 20 points in this game while Danny Green and Manu Ginobili kept the Spurs close with some huge baskets, taking a two point lead with seconds remaining in regulation. But after Houston tied the game, Patty Mills attempted a jumper in the closing seconds which bounced off the rim and sent the game into overtime.

The overtime period became the Danny Green show, as he scored seven of his 16 points in the extra period. But after scoring 12 points , dishing out seven assists, and grabbing six rebounds, Manu Ginobili made the most critical play of the game, blocking a James Harden 3-point attempt in the closing seconds of overtime to seal the victory. LaMarcus Aldrige added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs while Jonathon Simmons added 12 points. Patrick Beverley scored 20 points for the Rockets while Ryan Anderson added 19 points and seven rebounds.

San Antonio leads series 3-2.

Both teams were playing this game as if it was an elimination game and as Harden walked to the locker room, his expression was as if he was being sent home. Perhaps it was an elimination game mentally, since all the Spurs have to do is close the round out tomorrow night...but I get the feeling that there might be a game 7.

missfee said:

728huey said:

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Houston Rockets 107 San Antonio Spurs 110 F/OT

The San Antonio Spurs had some momentum going into game 4 but lost that when the Houston Rockets rediscovered their 3-point shooting to even up the series. The Spurs were hoping some home cooking would get their team back on track while the Rockets knew they had to win a game in the Alamo city in order to advance to the Western Conference Finals. But they would have to do that without Nene, who suffered a torn hip adductor injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The Spurs and Rockets would go back and forth for about the first three quarters, with their respective leaders making the charge. The Rockets' James Harden would get a triple double, scoring 33 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but he sprained his ankle after landing on James Harden's foot in the third quarter and only played limited minutes in the fourth before sitting out the rest of the game.

But the Spurs would be carried by their supporting cast. Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Manu Ginobili would come up huge down the stretch. Patty Mills scored 20 points in this game while Danny Green and Manu Ginobili kept the Spurs close with some huge baskets, taking a two point lead with seconds remaining in regulation. But after Houston tied the game, Patty Mills attempted a jumper in the closing seconds which bounced off the rim and sent the game into overtime.

The overtime period became the Danny Green show, as he scored seven of his 16 points in the extra period. But after scoring 12 points , dishing out seven assists, and grabbing six rebounds, Manu Ginobili made the most critical play of the game, blocking a James Harden 3-point attempt in the closing seconds of overtime to seal the victory. LaMarcus Aldrige added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs while Jonathon Simmons added 12 points. Patrick Beverley scored 20 points for the Rockets while Ryan Anderson added 19 points and seven rebounds.

San Antonio leads series 3-2.

Both teams were playing this game as if it was an elimination game and as Harden walked to the locker room, his expression was as if he was being sent home. Perhaps it was an elimination game mentally, since all the Spurs have to do is close the round out tomorrow night...but I get the feeling that there might be a game 7.

Aldridge finally played like a man and got in the paint.

If I'm Pop, I don't play Leonard....let him rest that ankle for Game 7.

If the Rockets are going to win, they HAVE to keep San Antonio off the offensive boards. And that's going to be harder without Nene.

Manu Ginobili is a stud.

Al Horford doesn't show me shit....it's like he's afraid to do damage in the paint.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Washington Wizards 101 Boston Celtics 123

The Boston Celtics got into trouble in their first two home games of this series when the Washington Wizards jumped out to a huge lead, and they certainly didn't want to repeat that in this game. However, the Wizards scored the first two buckets of this game.

This time though, the Celtics answered back by going on a 16-0 run immediately afterward, and they never trailed after that. They were led by Avery Bradley, who scored 29 points in this game and hit four 3-point shots. The Wizards would try to cut into the Celtics lead several times, but the Celtics would respond with mini-runs of their own to keep their lead in double digits. They would lead by as much as 26 before cruising to victory. Al Horford scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists while Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder each scored 18 points. The Wizards backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal scored 21 and 16 points respectively, but they both struggled from the field, going 7 for 17 and 7 for 19 respectively. Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. each added 13 points.

Boston leads series 3-2.

uPtoWnNY said:

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Washington Wizards 101 Boston Celtics 123

The Boston Celtics got into trouble in their first two home games of this series when the Washington Wizards jumped out to a huge lead, and they certainly didn't want to repeat that in this game. However, the Wizards scored the first two buckets of this game.

This time though, the Celtics answered back by going on a 16-0 run immediately afterward, and they never trailed after that. They were led by Avery Bradley, who scored 29 points in this game and hit four 3-point shots. The Wizards would try to cut into the Celtics lead several times, but the Celtics would respond with mini-runs of their own to keep their lead in double digits. They would lead by as much as 26 before cruising to victory. Al Horford scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists while Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder each scored 18 points. The Wizards backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal scored 21 and 16 points respectively, but they both struggled from the field, going 7 for 17 and 7 for 19 respectively. Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. each added 13 points.

Boston leads series 3-2.

Urgh, Wizards choked big time last night. This was the crucial game they needed to win. If they have to play a game 7 in Boston, then the Celtics got it.....however, the Cavs will run right through them like a freight train. SMH.

uPtoWnNY said:

Al Horford doesn't show me shit....it's like he's afraid to do damage in the paint.

I totally agree.

I do not like bigs who do not get down in the paint and bang.

Dasein said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Al Horford doesn't show me shit....it's like he's afraid to do damage in the paint.

I totally agree.

I do not like bigs who do not get down in the paint and bang.

That's the new game.

Horford was a banger early in his career. Bigs as a whole have drifted further away from the paint.

missfee said:

728huey said:

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 5

Washington Wizards 101 Boston Celtics 123

The Boston Celtics got into trouble in their first two home games of this series when the Washington Wizards jumped out to a huge lead, and they certainly didn't want to repeat that in this game. However, the Wizards scored the first two buckets of this game.

This time though, the Celtics answered back by going on a 16-0 run immediately afterward, and they never trailed after that. They were led by Avery Bradley, who scored 29 points in this game and hit four 3-point shots. The Wizards would try to cut into the Celtics lead several times, but the Celtics would respond with mini-runs of their own to keep their lead in double digits. They would lead by as much as 26 before cruising to victory. Al Horford scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists while Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder each scored 18 points. The Wizards backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal scored 21 and 16 points respectively, but they both struggled from the field, going 7 for 17 and 7 for 19 respectively. Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. each added 13 points.

Boston leads series 3-2.

Urgh, Wizards choked big time last night. This was the crucial game they needed to win. If they have to play a game 7 in Boston, then the Celtics got it.....however, the Cavs will run right through them like a freight train. SMH.

That's where this is going. The Wiz will make a last stand in 6, wilt in 7, and then BOS may steal a game in the ECF but otherwise have no answer for LBJ.

namepeace said:

Dasein said:

I totally agree.

I do not like bigs who do not get down in the paint and bang.

That's the new game.

Horford was a banger early in his career. Bigs as a whole have drifted further away from the paint.

I don't like this new game. "Stretch fours" are increasingly falling in love with the three point shot
and as a result, power forwards are losing their abilities to post up. We've all seen that famous Inside
the NBA clip where Barkley and Shaq excoriate Dwight Howard for "not being able to post-up."

I'm a child of the 80s and 90s and grew up watching Charles Oakley, and Larry Johnson, and Antonio
Davis, and Xavier McDaniel, and Shawn Kemp, and Rick Mahorn, and Charles Barkley get down in the
paint and maul people to death. Even Tim Duncan got down in there and banged around.

Al Horford . . . blech!

namepeace said:

missfee said:

Urgh, Wizards choked big time last night. This was the crucial game they needed to win. If they have to play a game 7 in Boston, then the Celtics got it.....however, the Cavs will run right through them like a freight train. SMH.

That's where this is going. The Wiz will make a last stand in 6, wilt in 7, and then BOS may steal a game in the ECF but otherwise have no answer for LBJ.

I do not see Boston taking one game from Cleveland.

Well, maybe the first one, since it will be played in Boston, so nevermind. But yeah, the Celtics are
exactly who I thought they were (RIP, Coach Green) and if they don't get a slasher/scorer to keep
defenses honest from doubling up on Isaiah Thomas, they will be in trouble next year too.

Dasein said:

namepeace said:

That's the new game.

Horford was a banger early in his career. Bigs as a whole have drifted further away from the paint.

I don't like this new game. "Stretch fours" are increasingly falling in love with the three point shot and as a result, power forwards are losing their abilities to post up. We've all seen that famous Inside the NBA clip where Barkley and Shaq excoriate Dwight Howard for "not being able to post-up."

D12 just never seemed willing to develop his game as a "stretch" or in the pivot. At least that's the knock on him.

I'm a child of the 80s and 90s and grew up watching Charles Oakley, and Larry Johnson, and Antonio Davis, and Xavier McDaniel, and Shawn Kemp, and Rick Mahorn, and Charles Barkley get down in the paint and maul people to death. Even Tim Duncan got down in there and banged around.

The bangers of the past are dinosaurs in today's stretch game. Kemp and X-Man could adapt and Big Fundy's game translates well in any era.

Dasein said:

namepeace said:

That's where this is going. The Wiz will make a last stand in 6, wilt in 7, and then BOS may steal a game in the ECF but otherwise have no answer for LBJ.

I do not see Boston taking one game from Cleveland.

Well, maybe the first one, since it will be played in Boston, so nevermind. But yeah, the Celtics are exactly who I thought they were (RIP, Coach Green) and if they don't get a slasher/scorer to keep defenses honest from doubling up on Isaiah Thomas, they will be in trouble next year too.

You're right. BOS doesn't yet have the horses. And I hope they never get them, but Gordon Heyward is considered their next big "get" because he played for Stevens in college, and the city would sing hosannas for him.

Dasein said:

namepeace said:

That's the new game.

Horford was a banger early in his career. Bigs as a whole have drifted further away from the paint.

I don't like this new game. "Stretch fours" are increasingly falling in love with the three point shot
and as a result, power forwards are losing their abilities to post up. We've all seen that famous Inside
the NBA clip where Barkley and Shaq excoriate Dwight Howard for "not being able to post-up."

I'm a child of the 80s and 90s and grew up watching Charles Oakley, and Larry Johnson, and Antonio
Davis, and Xavier McDaniel, and Shawn Kemp, and Rick Mahorn, and Charles Barkley get down in the
paint and maul people to death. Even Tim Duncan got down in there and banged around.

Al Horford . . . blech!

Exactly. I'm a child of the 60s & 70s. I'll take inside-out offense over this 3-point shit any day. The Spurs gave an example of that tonight by punishing the Rockets down low with their bigs combined with tough defense. Old skool ball. That's what Porzingis needs to learn - put some weight on, and develop post-up moves. At his height, he could own the paint.

Western Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 6

San Antonio Spurs 114 Houston Rockets 75

The San Antonio Spurs had an opportunity to close out this series against the Houston Rockets tonight, but they would be going in short-handed, as Kawhi Leonard sat out this game after spraining his ankle in game 5. Already without Tony Parker, the Spurs would have to find a way to bring some offense without their two biggest playmakers while at the same time face a potentially explosive offensive machine that was playing on their home court.

No problem. The usually-supporting cast to Kawhi Leonard stepped up on their own to dominate this game. The Spurs shot 53% from the floor and led by seven after the first quarter. They would go on a run in the second quarter to extend the lead to 19 points, led by LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. They went on an 8-1 run to start the third quarter and never looked back. In fact, all of the Spurs' starters finished in double digits, with Jonathon Simmons scoring 18 points, Patty Mills scoring 14 points and dishing out seven assists, and Paul Gasol and Danny Green each adding 10 points while Gasol also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.

But more disturbing was the play of the Houston Rockets. Save for Trevor Ariza, who led them with 20 points and grabbed five rebounds, they looked listless and slow, and James Harden in particular had a dismal game. He didn't even attempt his first field goal until late in the second quarter after the Spurs had already led by 19 points, and he shot 2 for 11 from the field, finishing with just 10 points. He did have seven assists but also turned the ball over six times. Clint Capela finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, but the rest of the team was MIA, with no other player making double digits in scoring.

The Spurs now go on to face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio wins series 4-2.

I'm glad Houston's gone. Never been a fan of D'Antoni's system. Pringles has always been a gimmick coach.

missfee said:

Houston completely choked. Apparently, Harden thought they were already eliminated after Game 5, and didn't bother showing up in Game 6. The most weakest effort I've seen by a team not only in the playoffs but in a close-out game. The Spurs showed up ready for combat.

Like Dennis Scott & Sam Vincent said last night - when the 3s aren't falling, Houston had no "Plan B".

missfee said:

Houston completely choked. Apparently, Harden thought they were already eliminated after Game 5, and didn't bother showing up in Game 6. The most weakest effort I've seen by a team not only in the playoffs but in a close-out game. The Spurs showed up ready for combat.

Choked? Looks like someone was paid to THROW a game.

Go take a look at Harden's career close out games.............

Popp is 20-6 all-time vs. Pringles in the playoffs.

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Conference Semifinals

Game 6

Boston Celtics 91 Washington Wizards 92

The Washington Wizards desperately needed a win tonight to force a potential game 7 which they have not faced in the second round or later since 1979, when they last played in the NBA Finals as the then-Bullets. Worse yet, they had a dubiously perfect 0-7 record in home elimination games in their history. But in this series the home team has won each game, so they hoped the home court would help them in this game.

This game was relatively tight in the first half, primarily because John Wall struggled mightily from the floor, making just one out of seven field goals. However, Bradely Beal would keep the Wizards moving, scoring a game-high 33 points in this game. Nevertheless, the Wizards would go on a 12 run in the second quarter to go up by 10 only for the Celtics to go on their own 12-1 run to take a one point lead at the half.

The Celtics would hold the lead in the third quarter thanks to Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, who each scored 27 points in this game, but they never led by more than six points. Markieff Morris kept the Wizards within reach, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in this game. But the fourth quarter would come down to a furious finish, as John Wall recovered from his lackluster first half to score 26 points and tie the game with a couple of free throws with 41 seconds remaining in the game. Avery Bradley and Bradley Beal would trade buckets, and after a timeout Al Horford would hit a 16 foot jumper off the glass to give the Celtics the lead ith seven seconds remaining. Horford finished with 20 points for the Celtics.

But then John Wall took the game into his own hands. He took the inbound pass from Otto Porter Jr. and shot a 3-pointer to give the Wizards a one-point lead with 3.5 seconds remaining. Isaiah Thomas would make a desperation 3-pointer to win the game in the closing second, but it missed off the glass and off the far side of the rim as the Wizards hung on for the huge victory and force a decisive game 7 back in Boston.

Series tied at 3-3.