greatness and toughness: MJ, Wade, Kobe, Iverson, TMac

I was court side at the game and I completely agree with you about how physical this series is. You just can't appreciate how nasty the Jazz are until you can get an up close look at how they mug Yao on every possession and push and hold McGrady.

 

If Yao and Tmac come out victorious in this series, it will only make them tougher. I expect them too. They are great players and people will always be gunning for them. Time to rise up beyond the physical plays. No one won the entire thing by playing against bunnies.

Talking about physical, the 93-94 Finals was absolutely brutal. Derek Harper had his hands all over Kenny Smith. If you tried to dunk, expect to land on your butt (ask Horry about Bonner). They sent everyone on Hakeem that series. As Reg would say, "they threw everything including the kitchen book and soup fork at Hakeem." Anthony Mason was pretty much allowed to grab, hold, mug Hakeem anyway he wanted. It didn't faze Hakeem though. He responded with some hard physical plays of his own.

That series was so physical, and such a mug-fest that the league had to step in and change the rules.

Oh yeah, Rockets prevailed.

 

tmac has recurring back problems right? i'm not sure if that's true but i believe that is the case.

does MJ, wade, or iverson have any back problems? i don't think they do.

there is your answer why tmac does not penetrate like that EVERY game.

if u watch his first few yrs in orlando when his back problems were not as serious, he did this ALL THE TIME. he did avg 9.7 ft attempts in 02-03.

 

BINGO! people need to learn this. T mac in orlando was otherworldly. Only MJ and Kobe(current one) are the only ones that u could even mention in the same breath as mcgrady.

 

TMac is more Iron Man than Spiderman.

 

everyone will agree with you wholeheartedly if he can get us to the WCF or higher.

 

I totally agree with you. The Jazz play football, they don't play basketball

While Tmac hasn't played great, a lot of it has to do with the phsyicality of Utah. Utah is by far the most physical team in the league.

It's safe to say if we win this series, the next series will be a big step down in phsyicality (especially if it's Golden State).

IF Yao and Tmac get through the line of scrimmage against Utah, they will be making plays downfield against Dallas or Golden State.

 

He played amazingly in game 5

But I still have not forgotten game 4, and I'm sorry...but his heart had a lot to do with how he played, not just their "D"

I'm hoping and expecting him to keep playing like he did in game 5

 

i never understand why people say tmac has no heart. this guy wouldn't get such serious back problem if he hadn't pushed himself too hard.

 

Nicely said. And then we have the girly men who call Yao and Tmac p*****s, *****, pansies, etc. Right, I know these cowards are brave to do that when hiding behind their monitors in their holes (homes).

 

If you were referring to my post, I didn't mean that TMac has no heart. Look at the Dallas series a couple of years ago, look at when Yao was out, look at game 5 (as well as one and two).

TMac doesn't deserve the rep that he has. BUT, when he comes out and plays with no passion in games like game 4, it gives them ammunition. I can't recall seeing a bonafide superstar mail it in like that. But as I stated before, he came back in game 5 and will hopefully do so for the rest of the playoffs.

(and I don't blame the two losses on TMac, it is our role players that have to step up on the road as well)

 

Couldnt have said it better myself.

It would be great if we won tomorrow.

 

u haven't seen a superstar mail it in like that?

kobe in game 7 of last yr? he basically stood out in the perimeter and just passed the ball around.

 

This is a great assessment! If you've ever played basketball - on any level -and played against a team that plays sloppy, dirty, and fouls a lot, you've probably experienced what the Rox are now facing. It's next to impossible to play your own style when playing a team like the Jazz. The closest team we've ever played was the Knicks when we won in '94. The Pistons have alway played a similar style.

The Jazz are the best team I've ever seen at dictating this style of play. As much as I hate Sloan , you've got to respect him as he's a master at ensuring the "style" of the game that's played.

Honestly, I think we'll pull out this series and assuming that GS beats dallas (the little d) and SA beats Phoenix, I think we'll win the WCF & quite possibly the Championship. SA is a great team, but we can beat them.

The Rox have the most problems when they can't play "their" game. That's why I'm scared to death of playing Phoenix (we can't keep up in a 7 game series). Chicago and Detroit both play a style that can and will frustrate the Rox, but even though Detroit has been there and Chicago has the talent - if we can win the west, I think we can and will win it all.

 

Or leading MVP candidate (in many people's opinions) Dirk Nowitzki basically admitting that he couldn't do anything against the Warriors. Then again, I don't really see Dirk as a superstar, but still, that has got to be the worst display of 'leadership' I have ever seen.

 

For whatever reason the refs have swallowed their whistles when it comes to how the post is defended as well as guys trying to move on the perimeter. I believe this was addressed on 610 also.

Basically, this Jazz team is playing 90s style ball and getting away with it while the Rockets were built to play with 2007 rules and are playing that way. And yes, the Finals vs. the Knicks is the first thing that came to my mind while watching Monday night's game.

 

exactly. the reason ppl use "heart" and "passion" on tmac is basically he hasn't done anything in the postseason.

i mean, dirk is as invisible as a ghost except for 2 freaking minutes in yesterday's game.

 

Tmac needs to take off his fricken dress and put on a jock and lead this team.

No more wussy panty hose.....man up in a kilt if you have to......

DD