I know, but Loopy was implying that the Lakers without Kobe or anybody else could still come close to making the playoffs.

Any chance that Mem will win their series? Should be a good one

Well, if that's the case, replace Shaq with, oh I dunno...Chris Kaman. What do you have? I don't really see how you can use that method of defining an MVP. :-\

Exactly.

You replace Shaq with Chris Kaman and the Heat are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and they have a center who plays all season

Its not a scientific means of choosing an MVP but its not a scientific process. There are alot of different ways to choose an MVP. You got "best guy on the best team", "best stats all season", "most dominant down the stretch" and "team played terrible with him out therefore he was the most important to the team" among others. This is just a way that makes sense to me

btw BCWWF is right, Kaman on the Heat wouldn't move them in the standings by more than a couple games. D-Wade on the other hand, if you replace him with Ben Gordon you would see a bigger drop off but the team would still be in the playoffs

LOL

Are you serious?

Kaman is good, he is one of the most underrated players in the league.

Do you really think that: Jason Williams, Dwayne Wade, James Posey, Udonis Haslem and Chris Kaman with Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning and Antoine Walker off the bench is not going to make the playoffs?

I mean even if you put a really bad center in there like Michael Olowokandi, the Heat would still win their division.

Spoke too soon. I still think Chicago can get out of the first round. Miami seems so beatable to me. I think anyone in the playoffs can beat Miami with the exception of maybe the Bucks and Cavs.

Speaking of the Bucks. They're already eliminated IMO.

I love the Indy draw. They matchup great with the Nets and they've dominated the Heat. I dont know about the Bulls tho.

I really like the Bulls in the East.

My pick is the Bulls.

The Bulls are going to be so good next year. Think of them adding Tyrus Thomas/LaMarcus Aldridge and JJ Reddick for bench scoring...SICK

I didn't say they wouldn't make the playoffs. Of course they would make the playoffs, because after the top 4 spots or so, the Eastern conference is pretty weak. They would not be a contender at all with Kaman instead of Shaq. The Heat are 42-16 with Shaq. 10-14 without him. Do you really think that Kaman would get double and triple teamed like Shaq, which would then open up open shots for Udonis, JWill, Walker, Wade, Posey, etc.? That's Shaq's most valuable part of his game, he gets other people stats.

My All-NBA Team:

Team #1
F - LeBron James
F - Elton Brand
C - Marcus Camby
G - Chauncey Billups
G - Kobe Bryant

Team #2
F - Dirk Nowitzki
F - Shawn Marion
C - Ben Wallace
G - Steve Nash
G - Gilbert Arenas

Team #3
F - Kevin Garnett
F - Andrei Kirilenko
C - Mehmet Okur
G - Ray Allen
G - Dwayne Wade

Bosh verbally commits to a 6 year deal :cool:

That's cool. Bosh is gonna be a pretty big star, and having that kind of a player as your anchor can only be good for that franchise.

Nash4MVP

:shifty:

1. Detroit vs 8. Milwaukee
2. Miami vs 7. Chicago
3. New Jersey vs 6. Indiana
4. Cleveland vs 5. Washington

1. San Antonio vs 8. Sacramento
2. Phoenix vs 7. LA Lakers
3. Denver vs 6. LA Clippers
4. Dallas vs 5. Memphis

First Round Predictions

Detroit 4-0
Miami 4-2
New Jersey 4-3
Cleveland 4-2

San Antonio 4-1
Phoenix 4-0
LA Clippers 4-2
Dallas 4-1

Clippers the only seeding upset. Lakers not to take a game from Phoenix. Kobe can score what he wants but PHX to shut down everyone else. Jersey and Indi to be close. Bulls to take a few off Miami but not enough :(

1. Detroit vs 8. Milwaukee
2. Miami vs 7. Chicago
3. New Jersey vs 6. Indiana
4. Cleveland vs 5. Washington

1. San Antonio vs 8. Sacramento
2. Phoenix vs 7. LA Lakers
3. Denver vs 6. LA Clippers
4. Dallas vs 5. Memphis

First Round Predictions

Detroit 4-1 ( The Bucks arent that bad and they'll probably get hyped to atleast take one in Milwuakee (Sp).)

Chicago 4-3 ( Fuck it! I'll go for it. I love this Chicago team. Not as much as i love my Pacers, but a different kind of love. I think Miami has played all year like a team that might stumble and when you're a team that might stumble, the last team you want to play in the first round is Chicago. )

Indiana 4-3 ( Indiana has gotten some chemistry back and O'Neil has been a monster the last 5 games he's played. Who on Jersey will stop O'Neil? Indiana is playing a high tempo game now and can matchup with Jersey. Plus Indiana is better on defense and a better shooting team from beyong the arch. Indiana's bench is deeper. Throw out the seeds, I think Indy pulls this one out. )

Washington 4-2 ( Most people think of Lebron vs Arenas, but forget that Arenas has Jamison and Butler on his team. Lebron has inconsistant Damon Jones, banged up Hughes and Illgalskus and a decent player in Gooden. I think Arenas can score with James. I think Washington is the better team here. )


San Antonio 4-0 ( Sorry Sactown )

Lakers 4-3 ( 7-2 upsets on both sides. Kobes and Odom seem to be playing real good together as of late. Luke Walton is starting now and producing. I think with Kobe you've always got a shot. Its not like the Suns play any defense so Kobe might average 40 a game in this series. The Suns just seem like the softest team in the playoffs right now. I can feel the upset coming. )

Denver Nuggets 4-3 ( Nuggets got to much fire for the Clippers in a 7 game series. Thats if they stay healthy. )

Dallas 4-3 ( I could totally see Dallas sleeping 3 games and losing. Everytime Dallas got some momentum going and strung a few games together, they just totally fell asleep and lost a stupid one. That and i think Memphis will be pretty pumped and they have a very solid team. Who's guarding Gasol? Dampier? Nowitski who cabt play defense? Gasol will have his way, but Dallas still manages to win. )

I like all of your Eastern Conference picks, but you might have fallen astray on the Western Conference. Clippers over Nuggers is my only upset on the Western side. I didn't like Phoenix's moves when they made them, but the guys on their team now are a lot more complete than Joe Johnson and Q were last year.

I'm soo pumped for this years playoffs. Specifically Sac/San Ind/NJ Chi/Mia and LAL/PHO

wow LeBron James is gross. He just made a ridiculous touch pass, the dude fucked up the lay up but the pass was crazy. LeBron had the ball for like .000001 seconds.

Whoooo, sac-town getting killed. Hate them fuckers.

Lake Show toniiiggghtttt

What the hell is wrong with the left side of Ernie Johnson face? The TNT analyst.

Lakers down by 10 :(

Indiana 1-0:cool:

My All-NBA Team:

Team #1
F - LeBron James
F - Dirk Nowitski
C - Ben Wallace
G - Steve Nash
G - Kobe Bryant

Team #2
F - Tim Duncan
F - Shawn Marion
C - Marcus Camby
G - Chauncey Billups
G - Gilbert Arenas

Team #3
F - Rasheed Wallace
F - Elton Brand
C - Yao Ming
G - Allen Iverson
G - Dwayne Wade


MVP- Kobe Bryant

Sixth Man- Ben Gordon

Come Back player- Mike James who? Mike James ( honorable mentions to Anthony Johnson. )

Rookie of the Year - Danny Granger...

Coach of the Year-Scott Skiles

Could have went to the Nets game today, but I chose to sleep in. Pretty glad I didn't, weak foul call at the end but whatev, Nets in 5. :cool:

Tim Thomas lighting shit up.

Barbosa :cool:

I like your picks Rectal aside from a couple.

Give me Bosh over Rasheed on 3rd team. Wade and Arenas switch spots and Duncan and Brand switch spots.

Theres no more comeback player, its most improved which has to go to Boris Diaw. Mike Miller I have for 6th man and Granger is obviously a joke, Villaneuva is a lock for ROTY :shifty:

And I love the Skiles for Coach of the Year but I think Avery Johnson is a lock for it

uhh he grabbed his jersey and disrupted his shot. Obvious foul

tomatoes, tomatoes

Nooo. SUCH a heartbreaking loss. I thought we had a chance. Tim Thomas fucked us up. Kobe got teammates involved today though. Pretty impressed with Luke. Look for Kobe to shoot over 30 times next game

Yah i'm just gunna predict this now. Kobe goes for 50 on the Suns in game 2.

Hopefully. But it better come with a Lake Show win too. GOD, this loss hurt.

KOBE

He's got some sort of cancer

Damn poor Melo

Now that a day has passed.. I feel very confident for LAL. They can totally win this series. Their D after the 1st quarter was great. If Kobe had a slightly better game they woulda won. Lake show will win game 2.

Danny Granger for ROTY? Are you kidding?

SammyG will be nominated for the worst poster ever.

And why is that?

Besides the whole calling it on the wrong guy.

I don't really know, I didn't care enough to watch it. :o

that Artest suspension is bs.

Granger has been pretty solid, but if you aren't joking then your Indiana bias is pretty bad. Chris Paul was almost an all-star and the Hornets almost contended. Even after that, Villaneuva and maybe Channing Frye would probably get more votes than Granger.

I think I just responded to something on the last page, my bad.

Anyway, I think the Artest suspension is BS too. I guess the league is going to keep him on a tight leash.

http://members.cox.net/davewadding/P...01153smn4m.jpg

:shifty:

Those are some awsome sideburns my man.

Lakers over Suns tonight. Kobe will have 37

Also, god damn, Wadding uz a phat muh fucka.

Oh fo sho?

Lake Show!!!! Whoooooo!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY, somebody else sees this

Kobe's dunk over Nash was amazing. Lakers Clippers in the 2nd round.

The Rams will win the SuperBowl!!!!!!11

Also, LOL @ Kwame Brown running over Bell (I think?) at the end of the game and a no-call. That's what pisses me off, guys will flop and get calls but sometimes guys will get run over or obviously get fouled and no call. :-\

Fuck the Rams for now, it ain't football season. Talkin' bout obviously getting fouled? Thomas on Kobe in game 1. That's all i got to say. The Lakers WILL win this series. I guarentee it.

You obviously missed my point of you looking through *insert favorite team's color here* tinted glasses.

I don't think that was as bad as a guy running over another guy, but ok.

Lakers goin up 2-1 tonight.

So are the Wiz

Lake show did. Can't say the same bout the Wiz. I am sooo happy for LAL, it is amazing how balanced this team is right now. It will be LAC vs LAL next round. Can't wait.

LAKERSSSSSS yes come on.

I kinda want Mem to win at least a game. Will Gasol ever fucking step it up?

Watched the end of the Wizards game, seems like the Wiz got screwed on a call with about a minute left. It ended up fair IMO, they just couldn't guard LeBron essentially. And Gilbert shouldn't have taken the three.

LeBron traveled big time on that last shot. It's all good though, it's King LeBron!

Yeah, the one where he did a BIG jump stop, pivoted and then took another two or so steps into the basket?

Yup

Lakers Mavericks western conference finals.

Just no.

Seems like there's a lot more hard fouls/fouls called which aren't/ticky tacky calling this playoffs. Maybe it's just me though...

Also, is Luke Walton suspended?

Hell no he isn't!! Woooo go lake show. Down by 4 at the moment. 6:07 left in the 3rd

Shiiiit, down by 3 in OT.

OMG KOBE LAKERS WIN!!!!!!!!!

OMG SHITTY OFFICIATING LAKERS WIN!!!!

OMG GO EAT A BURGER, LAKERS WIN

Um, Nash clearly said timeout and it looked as if the ref was looking right at him. And if not that, then that should have been a foul rather than a jump ball. The steal and the shot to go into OT was clean and sick though.

I dunno, maybe I'm a little biased? Someone who isn't a Lakers/Suns fan answer that for me.

I dunno who I hate more, SammyG or the Lakers.

Go ahead wadding and neg-rep your heart out. You need to go get a total makeover douchebag, lose 200 pounds, then come back and talk to me again.

Going back to Outlaw, it does seem like the hard fouls are really big this year, and there's been a lot of suspensions as well.

How the fuck was that not a foul on Nash? He was practically gang raped at half court.

Fuck the non calls. This is the fucking playoffs. Let them play. Nash should have protected the ball better reguardless.

Kobe FUCKING Bryant. Fuck King James. King Kobe. MVP hands down. It wasnt even close and it still isnt close. And the Lakers are about to win this shit. I'm rooting for them.

Me and Sammy G are like the only ones who picked the Lakers.

No doubt he called timeout, but still. King Kobe. Bring that man more white women to rape.

Nash called a timeout. Diaw called a timeout. Luke Walton harassed and made more contact with Nash than Kobe did in Colorado. Jump call was ridiculous. The fact that the Lakers have gotten every single break, call, etc. is ridiculous as well. Lamar Odom shot one less free throw than the whole Suns team, who are known for getting to the line. Marion had like three fouls in 5 minutes. So many things were wrong with that game.

I still don't see how Walton didn't get suspended. Udonis Haslem throws his mouthpiece in the direction of a ref (still dont think he was throwing it AT him), it hits the ground, he gets thrown out of the game and suspended one game. James Posey bumps Hinrich, gets a flagrant called, ejected, and gets suspended. Hard foul I will admit, but that's kind of ridiculous. Luke Walton CLOTHESLINES a guy and gets a flagrant called on him, no ejection, no suspension. He clotheslines a guy. Intending to hurt a guy. I just don't see the justification in that.

If this is about the foul on Tim Thomas. It wasnt that bad and i thought it was just a flagrant.

Seriously, who still thinks the Lakers are stupid for keeping Kobe instead of Shaq?

LA definately got away with a lot of shit in game 4, I'll admit that. Luke's foul was not that bad, stop crying about it. It shoulda been a flagrant, but no suspension, exactly like RP said. Instead of complaining about how the Lakers do this, do that, why don't you start giving the Lakers some credit?

Nash tried to call the TO but could'nt get his hands around the ball. Therefore no Time Out.

Hell of a fucking game tho.

Couldn't get his hands around the ball? What are you talking about? He had the ball, Luke had a hold of his arms lol

I'm not crying about it, I have no desire for the NBA, I'm just calling it the way it is. I watch Nash and I watch Shaq, that's about as far as being an NBA fan as I go. I like to watch certain guys play such as LeBron, Camby, Gerald Wallace, Dirk, and some others but I am not a Phoenix fan and I am not a Lakers fan.

Well, if you think it was a flagrant foul then he should have been ejected or suspended because obviously that's the way the NBA works now. James Posey, Ron Artest. Artest getting suspended was one of the biggest jokes I have ever seen. It looked to me like he didn't even do a whole lot, especially considering what he had done to him (which was not seen by the refs, surprisingly). I just see a lot of inconsistencies right now.

It's not really a new thing, though. NBA officials have always favored the big-market star-laden teams. The Knicks and the Lakers will get calls that - for example - the Hornets and Blazers wouldn't get away with. On identical plays, Gerald Wallace will be called for traveling but Kobe will make SportsCenter's Top Ten. LeBron James can pick up his dribble at the top of the circle on a fast break dunk and not get whistled, but if Josh Smith shuffles his pivot foot, it's a turnover.

That said, that was an awful call. Nash clearly called timeout, and he was clearly fouled. Yet, neither was called. I can tolerate a little bending of the rules because - sad as it is - it's the way the game goes. But for the referees to hand that game to the Lakers under those circumstances was just terrible.

On an entirely unrelated note, I hope the Pistons actually show up for game four. When they limped their way into the playoffs, I was nervous that they might leave themselves open to an early-round upset because they're looking ahead to June. Game three certainly looked like that was the case.

Yeah I mean I have come to accept the fact that Kobe/LeBron/*insert star here* can take 10 steps and not be called for a travel. Stars will get calls, I accept that. MJ got a lot of calls (Game winner against Utah anyone?) This doesn't take anything away from him because he was one of the most unbelievable basketball players I have ever seen play the game. Like you said, I can take the rules being..."altered without officially being altered" but some of this stuff has just been mind boggling really.

Yeah, the Pistons played pretty bad in Game 3. I don't really see them losing another game though. Then again, not many people thought they would lose one. :-\

Anyone else pretty suprised that Sac beat Sas in game 4?

http://lang.dailynews.com/socal/gall...6_LAKERS/5.jpg

Luke: Gimme some of that!

Walton already had his hands all over the ball when the "time out" was called so the right decision was made by the refs.

Plus, about Walton's flagrant foul. Yes it was hard, but "Intending to hurt a guy"??? C'mon now. I'll admit ot wasn't very smart on Walton's part but i seriously doubt he had intentions on hurting the poor bastard.

Luke's hands were also all over Stevie's arms. Therefore, the correct call was not made.


If James Posey was meaning to hurt Hinrich, Luke was definately meaning to hurt him. You know, it's funny, out of everyone I heard with an opinion about Posey getting suspended, all the announcers/commentators thought he should have been suspended, while the players thought otherwise.

I hope it's the Lakers and Clippers, that would be tight. The Suns can still come back I think..but the Nuggets are done.

Anyone else see Reggie Evans grab Kaman's crotch last game? haha I woulda done the same thing Kaman did...Evans will probably get suspended for that one...

Lakers Clippers will be good. Naw, the Suns are done. I do expect them to win game 5, but LAL will finish em off in Staples. I'm kinda intrigued by the Kings. I really think they can take this series to 7!

So then its agreed? BS Call?

I'll call it questionable. VERY questionable. Not bullshit.