NBA finals prediction thread!!!

[BCWWF]

Everyone brings up that "The Timberwolves have never been here before," well Gary Payton and Karl Malone are in the exact same boat as most of the Wolves. If anything they should be worried right now, this is their last chance to make the finals, and despite what you all thought the Timberwolves will not be walked past.

And thats just funny that you guys attempt to get offended when a team celebrates. Someone decided that the Lakers were going to walk into the finals, and it became popular opinion, and now we blow them out with Cassell on the bench and Trenton Hassell barely playing, yeah I have quite a bit to be happy about. I would rather have a Kevin Garnett with heart than a Karl Malone with professionalism. And don't try to pretend like the Lakers are the definition of professional, anybody remember the whole Sacramento "Queens?" I think that is the definition of lighting a fire under another team, Sacramento just happened to be chokes. Don't try to act smug and above me by acting like you don't care that your team just lost, this isn't going to be a walk in the park, partner. Yeah, I talk shit just like Gary Payton, Senior Professional.

The hit between World and Fisher was barely even a hit, and they are both equally guilty.

Malone was ejected because he got two technicals. When you get two technicals you are automatically ejected. Both of his technicals were justified.

[The Icon of Elisim]

Originally Posted by BCWWF Everyone brings up that "The Timberwolves have never been here before," well Gary Payton and Karl Malone are in the exact same boat as most of the Wolves.

LOL

Malone has been to the conference finals in 1998, 1997, 1996, 1994 and 1992

Payton has been in 1996 and 1993

Yeah, exact same situation

[The Outlaw]

Originally Posted by BCWWF Everyone brings up that "The Timberwolves have never been here before," well Gary Payton and Karl Malone are in the exact same boat as most of the Wolves. If anything they should be worried right now, this is their last chance to make the finals, and despite what you all thought the Timberwolves will not be walked past. And thats just funny that you guys attempt to get offended when a team celebrates. Someone decided that the Lakers were going to walk into the finals, and it became popular opinion, and now we blow them out with Cassell on the bench and Trenton Hassell barely playing, yeah I have quite a bit to be happy about. I would rather have a Kevin Garnett with heart than a Karl Malone with professionalism. And don't try to pretend like the Lakers are the definition of professional, anybody remember the whole Sacramento "Queens?" I think that is the definition of lighting a fire under another team, Sacramento just happened to be chokes. Don't try to act smug and above me by acting like you don't care that your team just lost, this isn't going to be a walk in the park, partner. Yeah, I talk shit just like Gary Payton, Senior Professional. The hit between World and Fisher was barely even a hit, and they are both equally guilty. Malone was ejected because he got two technicals. When you get two technicals you are automatically ejected. Both of his technicals were justified.

Hey go back and check my posts, as you can see I never said it would be a walk in the park. YOU said the lakers would win chief, I said it would be a closer series than what everyone (INCLUDING you and the other TWolves "fans") thought. I stress "fans" because noone from Minnesota has any faith in their team. That first game, like the announcers touched on, was pathetic. The fans never got into the game even though it was a close game. It's the western conference finals for crying out loud.

My point was that the Wolves' franchise has never been past the first round. Malone was in the conference finals in 96-98 , 94, and 92 I think? Payton in 93 and...96? My memory is being a bitch right now but I think that's right.

But Yeah, they are in the same situation

LOL Fisher was guilty for being screened illegally and taking an elbow?

I don't care that you celebrated. If you want to piss Shaq off, go ahead, fine by me. How am I trying to act above you? Elaborate.

Ok, Malone got ejected because he got two technicals. Fair enough. Both technicals were justified, fair enough.

Answer me this, was what Malone did to Martin not exactly what KG did to Peeler, possibly even less contact/less flagrant?

[The Outlaw]

Question to anyone that watched the game: Thoughts on Malone's ejection?

[The Outlaw]

Yeah word. But like I previously mentioned, Minnesota has obviously never been where they are so let them have a hard-on for a win.

On a serious topic, Malone's ejection. Was that not EXACTLY what KG did to Peeler? If not less contact? And Malone was actually fighting through a screen, not just taking a shot at the guy. That might have been the biggest flop I've seen, and I've seen a lot with Vlade playing.

Big props to GP for taking up for your teamate. Moving screen + an elbow = A pissed off Glove

[PureHatred]

Yeah, good move. Piss them off. The Lakers were going to do this business as usual and you go and make them mad. And embarass Shaq. It wasn't more than a couple months ago that the TWolves went to L.A. and got waxed. Down by 30 at one point and were never really in it.

If you TWolves fans think that can't happen again, you're kidding yourselves.

[The Outlaw]

Yeah that's what me and a friend (who is more of a Wolves fan) were discussing. He went on a rant about not pissing Shaq off right before they did. I mean come on, you gotta have some common sense to you not to piss guys off when you're winning by 20.

[BCWWF]

How did they piss Shaq off? He was the one dropping air balls from the free throw line.

[BCWWF]

Oh of course the Lakers are capable of blowing us out again, but did we not blow them out tonight? The same day Shaq was quoted saying the Lakers were "starting their peak?"

[BCWWF]

And don't get me wrong, I don't predict the Wolves take the next three games, but I surely don't predict the Lakers do either. This will at least go into a game 6, probably 7.

[BCWWF]

If they want to brag about the Conference Finals, then go ahead and brag. I don't think anyone out there is looking for a Conference final, (And I am pretty sure you are talking about NBA Finals appearances). What they want, Malone, Payton, Garnett, Sprewell, none of them have it.

[The Outlaw]

Originally Posted by BCWWF If they want to brag about the Conference Finals, then go ahead and brag. I don't think anyone out there is looking for a Conference final, (And I am pretty sure you are talking about NBA Finals appearances). What they want, Malone, Payton, Garnett, Sprewell, none of them have it.

Jesus Christ.

*bangs head on the table*

[PureHatred]

Originally Posted by BCWWF If they want to brag about the Conference Finals, then go ahead and brag. I don't think anyone out there is looking for a Conference final, (And I am pretty sure you are talking about NBA Finals appearances). What they want, Malone, Payton, Garnett, Sprewell, none of them have it.

He's clearly talking about Conference Finals. Look at the dates...

When the announcers talk abou the T-Wolves not being here before, that are talking about this point in the playoffs. Outside of Sprewell and Sam I Am, that's true about the T-Wolve. Outside of the rookies, everyone on the Lakers has been to this point in the playoffs and beyond.

[The Icon of Elisim]

Originally Posted by BCWWF If they want to brag about the Conference Finals, then go ahead and brag. I don't think anyone out there is looking for a Conference final, (And I am pretty sure you are talking about NBA Finals appearances). What they want, Malone, Payton, Garnett, Sprewell, none of them have it.

No one is bragging about conference finals. I'm just commenting on your statement that Malone and Payton are in the same boat experience wise as the Timberwolves, who've never gotten out of the first round before this year.

And those are the conference finals, not the NBA finals

[PureHatred]

Not to mention that Gary and Maone have both been to the NBA Finals.

No one's gettng offended, but you sound like a total fool going off about winning one game when you lost homecourt two days ago.

[BCWWF]

I didn't see Malone's hit, I was driving home at the time, but from how the announcer described it Martin was knocked over? Peeler was barely hit, but faught back in the heat of the moment. But since I didn't see it I can't compare. All that matters is that Malone was ejected because he got two technicals, KG wasn't because he only had one. What else are you looking for?

[The Outlaw]

You know, I'm not even going to bother.

This is like talking to a brick wall.

[AlphaBean]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw You know, I'm not even going to bother. This is like talking to a brick wall.

Calm down, chief.

Oh and I'm sorry I missed the "debate."

[The Outlaw]

Yeah TIOE beat me with the dates

That sneaky rascal

[BCWWF]

I don't get why you keep whining, are you saying it shouldn't have been a technical? Or are you saying the NBA should have changed its rules so that if Malone gets 2 T's he doesn't have to get ejected? Honestly.

[The Outlaw]

I asked a simple question. Was what Malone did not exactly what KG did? This isn't brain surgery, it's not too hard to follow.

[Kid Robb]

Does an ejection mean automatically missing the next game, a la Peeler in the Sacto-Wolves series?

According to the NBA Malone only had one tech just quietly.

[BCWWF]

OK, say it was the exact same thing KG did to Peeler, what point are you trying to make?

[The Outlaw]

Originally Posted by BCWWF OK, say it was the exact same thing KG did to Peeler, what point are you trying to make?

The point was Malone received a technical and KG did not. I thought I pointed that out, but maybe I didn't?

Originally Posted by Kid Robb Does an ejection mean automatically missing the next game, a la Peeler in the Sacto-Wolves series? According to the NBA Malone only had one tech just quietly.

Well, not exactly. This was why I brought up the rules of the NBA in a couple of past posts KR, I was inquiring for someone to explain to me how he was suspended for two games but to no avail. Malone got one technical on a double technical with Ervin Johnson with one second left on the shot clock for something silly, and then one for fighting across a screen set by Martin. Remember the shoulder KG gave to Peeler which insinuated the elbow? Well Malone gave Martin something similar and he went flying, so he got a technical and was ejected.

[AlphaBean]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw The point was Malone received a technical and KG did not. I thought I pointed that out, but maybe I didn't? Well, not exactly. This was why I brought up the rules of the NBA in a couple of past posts KR, I was inquiring for someone to explain to me how he was suspended for two games but to no avail. Malone got one technical on a double technical with Ervin Johnson with one second left on the shot clock for something silly, and then one for fighting across a screen set by Martin. Remember the shoulder KG gave to Peeler which insinuated the elbow? Well Malone gave Martin something similar and he went flying, so he got a technical and was ejected.

By the way, KG received a T for his screen on Peeler, and it was a shoulder to the chest, not the face; Peeler did not even come close to falling down, and then he retaliated. There's the difference. And Malone's was the 2nd T of the night for him.

And the funny thing is... after being called for a double Tech (KG and AP) the Kings took two Technical shots. They had a distinct FT advantage the entire series due to oversight. Nobody kept track of the foul limit, and gave them random "freebies."

[Crimson]

Lakers in 5. I look for a blowout in game 3, closer game in 4, and the Wolves get finished in Minnesota. I can't see Derek Martin coming up big consistently, without Cassell, their PG situation will be a big burden. KG was the man tonite though, lucky Malone got in foul trouble.

[BCWWF]

I think Peeler was suspended because he hit KG in the face, I don't think an ejection automatically calls for a suspension, and I would think it would be highly unlikely for Malone to even have a fine.

[PureHatred]

Der. He's saying that if it was the same thing, then why did KG stay in the game and Malon didn't.

simple answer: different officiating crew, different standards.

Plus, I'm sure Malone and the Lakers will use this as motivation in Game 3. The Lakers got beat bad, but realistically this was a must for the T-Wolves. The Lakers needed to leave Minnesota with at least a split, and the did.

[The Outlaw]

Also, 8 technicals in the game I think. Crazy. All in the fourth quarter to I think.

[BCWWF]

I'm going to bed, I won't be so hot/stupid tomorrow. Bye guys

[The Outlaw]

Tayshaun Prince says get that out of my house.

Best defensive play of the year right there

[The Outlaw]

Those were not technical shots, those were regular free throws as they were in the penalty.

KG did not receive a technical, he received a regular foul.

[The Outlaw]

Watching ESPN, Malone reports he was "getting back" for the hard screen set on Fisher which knocked him down by Spree. Compared it to you hit my batter I hit yours.

Also, he was fined $7500. Hmm.

[AlphaBean]

I heard it was a T, I don't know for sure.

Anyway, the screen on Fisher was clean. He wasn't looking where he was going. Karl lowered a shoulder and busted Martin in the face.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...vid&id=1808516

He he he he.

The biggest thug in NBA history gets "overlooked" for laying out a 3rd-string Point Guard when the game's not on the line...

At least I can use this as an excuse like the Kings use Bobby Jackson. :

[The Outlaw]

I didn't see the screen so I dont know if it was clean or not. From what Malone said, it was a HARD screen. Fisher said it was a hard screen that knocked his block off but said it wasn't cheap or anything.

And no, it wasn't a T on Garnett. It was a regular foul.

LOL it wasn't an elbow to the noggin, he fought through the screen and gave him a shoulder, it was the same thing that KG did to Peeler which insinuated Peeler's elbow. If you even try to say Malone did the same thing as Peeler you are crazy. Like I said, he did the same as Garnett.

It's also hilarious that Aldridge compares this to the Peeler altercation. I think he might have gotten confused because this play was ON THE BALL. The KG/Peeler incident was AWAY from the ball. Malone was trying to guard the ball and fought through a screen and gave the guy some contact.

"I would not feel so strongly about this if the league A) hadn't been so adamant over the years about condemning any contact above the shoulder, whether it came from a punch or an elbow. The league's various chieftans of discipline have all said the same thing: windup, contact and follow-through are a flagrant foul, subject to suspension."

If he feels so strongly about this, why didn't he make a big fuss about KG's contact above the shoulder?

[AlphaBean]

Because KG didn't hit anyone above the shoulder.

PS: I'm not saying that Malone should have been suspended... I think it was a gay, really hard shoulder that was not the same as KG's except that it was a PF using a Shoulder. That's where the similarity ends.

Either way, it happens, and I'm more concerned with KG getting hacked out there. It wears him down, and he's not a big fatass like Shaq who can handle the abuse . He's halfway between Shaq and AI... and we all know AI will be forced to retire soon from all his injuries.

[BCWWF]

I'm not sure how similar the two hits in question actually were.

[AlphaBean]

They weren't.

Malone's was completely unnecessary. He was getting back at Latrell Sprewell for screening Derek Fisher cleanly... by leveling Derek Martin?

What the ****** is that?

At least KG shouldered Peeler (below the neck) for Peeler elbowing KG... illegally. Deserved a Tech, and a fine, but at least there was a reason for it.

And you can't lie and say Malone was merely fighting through a screen and "bumped into" Martin. 1) Everyone knows that Malone is a dirty player, and 2) He admitted that what he did was wrong.

[The Outlaw]

I dunno, I thought what he did wasn't as bad as what KG did but maybe I am wrong

I thought that yes what he did was wrong, but I also thought what KG did was also wrong. They both gave hard shoulders and they both made contact in the same places, only Martin obviously flopped a little more whereas Peeler just knocked his block off.

And yes, I agree, Malone is a hard player.

[AlphaBean]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw I dunno, I thought what he did wasn't as bad as what KG did but maybe I am wrong I thought that yes what he did was wrong, but I also thought what KG did was also wrong. They both gave hard shoulders and they both made contact in the same places, only Martin obviously flopped a little more whereas Peeler just knocked his block off. And yes, I agree, Malone is a hard player.

It was not the same place. Martin got it in the face, KG got Peeler in the chest. That's the difference.

Also, Malone did it to "get even" with a CLEAN play done by SOMEONE ELSE to ANOTHER PERSON. Not to mention, it was nothing but a shoulder butt.

KG screened AP for AP elbowing him in the stomach. AP elbowed him AGAIN. So are you just fucking around, or are you too stupid to see that?

Cause I mean, come on.

And Malone is not a "hard" player. he is a "dirty" player.

Lifting a knee to take someone out... that's "hard?"