I am so so disappointed in the Spurs. They were the primary bulwark against the Lakers winning the championship. I couldn't stand it if the Lakers won another. Besides, even if Minn or Sac or whoever somehow actually beat the Lakers, it still wouldn't be as disgraceful as falling in the second round. The Lakers looked bad against the Rockets, even in losing only 1 game. Aren't the Spurs supposed to be good? I don't even have the heart to read game recaps anymore.
Freakin' Spurs...The under achieved and now the Fakers are in...I really don't like the Fakers, but you have to give them credit for taking it to them...I think it'll be the Queens vs. the Fakers...Fakers win and play Detroit...
It's over. Wolves will get crushed. Shaq will have a field day. If they don't make it, the Kings will - Webber's rusty. Is Bobby Jackson even playing? I haven't watched any of that series. All those rooting against the Spurs - hope you like Karl Malone. Here comes his ring. Here comes another one for KOwannaBElikemike as well.
Like I said the Kings and Wolves are just as good or better than the Spurs, and the Spurs would had a great chance to advance save the miracle Fisher shot. Both teams have plenty of guys to throw at Shaq--EJ, Kandi (he will be more important next series where we won't be expected to cover big men who can shoot), BM (irritating guy for Shaq), Vlade (another irritating guy for Shaq)--and with Sac starting to play some team defense they can be very tough. One major difference between the Spurs and Wolves and Kings--both the latter have much more versital offenses and more good offensive options, starting with pick and role's with Sam or Bibby using Shaq's cover that will give the Lakers fits (they are much more consistent on the perimeter than Parker). The Wolves have also played D like the Spurs all year, and Sac is finally showing flashes of their defensive capability. The story from the Spurs-Laker's series was the atrocious shooting by the Spurs, and they still had a decent chance. The Wolves and Kings have a lot more exploitable offensive options and flexibility.
how come no one thinks the duncan shot before the fisher shot was a miracle as well? My thoughts. Spurs got lucky on duncan's miracle shot. Either way it was a great series. Sad to see someone lose.
Sure Duncan's two shots were lucky as well. But the point is the games turned on the flip of the coin, and easily could have gone to game 7. Same point as versus Sac 2 years ago. That ball doesn't bounce to Horry in game 4, or Chrisite or Hedo or Peja make 1 extra jumper late in game 7, Shaq has one less title. There have been a lot bigger sports upsets than will be the case if the Lakers lose to the Wolves or Kings, that is one of my points. My 2nd point is I believe either of those teams create more problems to the Lakers than the less flexible, younger, Spurs team. Those who don't think either the Wolves or Kings have a shot I don't think have been watching the game close enough the last 3 or so years. I could be wrong, but I really doubt the Lakers get a cake walk like many are saying--2 of the lakers recent 3 titles easily could have gone to other teams with a couple fo different bounces (Blazers, Kings). We talk like it is destiny, just like the Rockets titles, but the truth is those were fragile victories that could have turned out differently with just a little extra bad luck.
Most of the time a lucky-ass shot with under a second left to play will win you the game. So when you do hit it, it's much more heartbreaking if you lose.
I worry about the Wolves' chances against the Lakers. Specifically, Shaq won't have to play any defense against EJ and Kandi. At least he had to honor Rasho's shot in the Spurs series.
I think Wolves make up for this on the defensive end where they have the best zone of any team and might be able to neutralize shaq in the paint. Lakers shooters are decent but wont' be able to hit enough shots against the zone to break it. Plus I think garnett's speed and athleticism poses more defensive problems for malone than duncan does. Spurs had the best chance but definitely I wouldn't count either the kings or the wolves out against the lakers. Garnett and cassell playing screen/roll on lakers could cause more problems than parker/duncan or bibby/divac/miller/webber
They are showing Game 5 on ESPN Classic right now in which they showed it once already, for the curious.
