Yeah, I think that's pretty accurate. The only thing is that NOH has got to have some confidence now and that can sometimes be enough to win a series. Detroit had no business winning in 2004 but when they realized they could hang with the Lakers in the first two games (which played out a lot like these two), they used their HCA to propel them to victory. Who knows. But if I had to bet on it, I'd say Lakers in 6 too.
How friendly do you want? Hornets got 10 more FT while shooting mostly jumpers on road was not enough for you? I wouldn't mind the opposite treatment in game 3 and 4.
DET was a much deeper team, mind you. They had a prime RIP,a tempered Billups, a streaking Prince, and solid team chemistry. Hornets are simply not on their level...That Finals was an upset, sure, but it was more about matchup problems and team turmoil for the Lakers than some kind of Rocky-esque underdog-to-champ situation for the Pistons
definitely agree with that view as DET had much better defense and 4 out of their starting 5 could create of the dribble for the most part. Only CP3 and maybe Ariza can say the same for NOLA
This game proved to me that Chris Paul, without a shadow of a doubt, is the biggest flopper in the nba. He's beaten out Kirilenko and Fisher, the undisputed flopper of the nba.
Yeah, agreed, but that Laker team was also much better than this one. The Lakers look old and slow right now. I don't know if it's just a slump or if they really are burned out.
The Hornets are doing the Lakers are favor kind of like OKC last year, get them playing hard earlier in the playoffs and warm them up. There will be no complacency going forward for the Lakers (biggest obstacle really). This series will be over in 6 just like OKC.
would love to see that rematch this year. I feel with perkins the thunder have a legitimate chance of winning that series. Perkins and Ibaka is a formidable frontline that can play against Bynum and Gasol and compete. Plus they have those other two guys who are kinda good named durant and westbrook. Man these playoffs are fun to watch, so many close games.
Complacency was their biggest obstacle the last two years because there really wasn't but one team that could beat them....Boston. I don't think that's the case this year. They need to get this series over with ASAP and get some rest. I also just looked and noticed that the Cavs only won one playoff game when LeBron scored less than 20 points (in 71 games).
when there's no back to backs, playing every other day should be enough. Fatigue/rest issues won't bother them until June (same issue whoever makes it out of the East is gonna have to deal with). LA's bigs really overlooked the Hornets scrappy style of play and so far they're getting their money's worth. Hornets are a top 5 defensive team so this would be a nice preparation for OKC or whoever moving forward
He's ashamed to show his face after clinging to the heels of Battier, a physically deteriorating wing and Houston's lousiest offensive perimeter weapon in years. What a coincidence that after he was shipped out of town, Houston experienced increased effectiveness and efficiency on both ends of the floor and made a serious push for the 8-seed. Where was he during the first week of April when Ariza, a player he repeatedly bashed, was a force to be reckoned with (headlined by 19 pts on 9-17, 6 steals, and 5 rebs in 40 min of action in a win over Houston, followed by 21 points on 9-17, 8 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls in 41 min in a win over PHX)?
Reading articles observing that thanks to that stretch, Ariza just managed to avoid gaining the honor of being one of the worst perimeter shooters in 30 years?
Kobe shot less than 15 times = They have a comfortable lead in 2nd half. You need to figure out what's the cause, what's the result.
Yeah, imagine if Battier had just shutdown Kobe alone without scoring 20+ pts, no matter the final result. The blind Battier supporters would be out in full force claiming he's the best defender in the game, posting all kinds of abstract #s, and shoving the NY Times propaganda piece down our throats. However, when Ariza, who's looked like the best defender on Kobe the past two seasons, provides intangible and tangible production, it's a mere footnote.
