Anyone here watching the LA Lakers in the playoffs?

I saw them go into overtime with the utah jazz (I think ?) today. Very exciting game. But I haven't really felt the team for about 6 years. I just don't like Kobe. Guy's a ball hog and on an ego trip. Now there's a reason shaq's got a ring without kobe and kobe hasn't done it without shaq. Shaq's a team player. But who knows, maybe Kobe'll snag one this year.

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Originally posted by Ghengis_John:
I saw them go into overtime with the utah jazz (I think ?) today. Very exciting game. But I haven't really felt the team for about 6 years. I just don't like Kobe. Guy's a ball hog and on an ego trip . Now there's a reason shaq's got a ring without kobe and kobe hasn't done it without shaq. Shaq's a team player. But who knows, maybe Kobe'll snag one this year.

I couldn't agree more, but he's got mad game. You can't help but respect that even though I can't stand the guy.

I'm pulling for the Pistons in the East and Hornets in the West. Still A LOT of basketball left to be play.

Oh, silly predictable me... I'm cheering for the Celts. But there have actually been some great games in this series. I'd be happy to see any of these teams come out on top.

My team was knocked out in round one but I want the Celtics

Kobe won MVP this year because he grew up and learned how to use teamwork. It's not nearly as bad as it was in the past. The lakers are back to being a great team to watch now after the little stint of suckage that they had.

If they get knocked out, I'll root for the celtics

I'm watching the Celtics in the playoffs as they are my hometown team. I even got to go to a playoff game against Atlanta just a few weeks ago.

Lakers fans would root for Boston? Whoa, my how times have changed??

Theres not a chance in hell the lakers or the celtics will win...I hate these two teams but no ones gonna beat the San Antonio Spurs or the team their facing if they win cause the spurs have the best teamwork...Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen....come on the only teams capable of beating them is Dallas, or Phoenix.

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Originally posted by Darkshowers:
Lakers fans would root for Boston? Whoa, my how times have changed??

I'm originally from the east coast but I live in LA now.

Sadly, my Bulls underachieved this year so there isn't technically a team I'm rooting for.

This had been a crazy year for playoff pushes / playoffs in general, though. It definitely gotten my interest up in the NBA again.

The Spurs had been notorious for kicking it up an extra notch in the playoffs, so I wouldn't count them out yet. However, the Spurs are getting older, and I'm really liking what the Hornets are doing. They are very young, talented, confident, and HUNGRY. It would be cool if they actually won it all this year.

Boston isn't living up to its expectations (which is really strange considering they've for the most part blown away a lot of teams, even the very solid ones). That losing record on the road is definitely not looking good. I can definitely see the Lakers in the Finals too, though. Phil Jackson works wonders with his bread and butter "Triangle Offense", and with 2 other people as potential scoring threats (Gasol and lol...Odom), the double teams on Kobe is rendered less effective.

My prediction: Pistons vs. Lakers, Lakers in 6.

On the topic of Kobe: Yeah, it's very hard for me to "like" him, considering he's more or less a Jordan clone... not to mention that I'm a huge Jordan fan. His mannerisms, work ethic, and overall basketball arsenal (down to MJ's fadeaway jumper) are exactly similar to Jordan's. However, I cannot take away the fact that he's a hell of a ball player. He's definitely the best player in the league for years now (very deserving of the MVP award and he should've won it in earlier years).

He might've been a ball hog then, but I do believe he's matured considerably. Last year he wanted to emphasize "team" play by actually (gasp) PASSING to his teammates. Of course, this philosophy failed, because he was surrounded by scrubs. :P

As Kobe went through years and years of championship-less seasons, he started to realize the value of a TEAM. This is why primiarly, he wanted to opt out of L.A. because they weren't building around Kobe. Then, out of nowhere, they make a MONSTROUS steal by landing Gasol. And now, they're back to championship caliber.

Only thing missing now, is LEADERSHIP. He's got the skill level down, the team concept down... but if he's going to be like Jordan, he needs to become a leader of men.

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Originally posted by MEXICANCRACKER4:
Theres not a chance in hell the lakers or the celtics will win...I hate these two teams but no ones gonna beat the San Antonio Spurs or the team their facing if they win cause the spurs have the best teamwork...Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen....come on the only teams capable of beating them is Dallas, or Phoenix.

"Team Work" is a generalized and vague perception of why the Spurs had been a basketball dynasty. Sure, team chemistry is a factor, but there's so much more to it than that.

For instance, they have at least 3 scorers who are legitimate threats (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili). Most importantly, they play DEFENSE. The Spurs are the exact reason why the Suns can never ever win a championship, on D'antoni's "Run and Gun" offense.

For controversial point's sakes, the Spurs do also get the benefit of getting a lot of referee calls their way, the majority of the time.

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Originally posted by UkyoTachibana:
On the topic of Kobe: Yeah, it's very hard for me to "like" him, considering he's more or less a Jordan clone... not to mention that I'm a huge Jordan fan. His mannerisms, work ethic, and overall basketball arsenal (down to MJ's fadeaway jumper) are exactly similar to Jordan's.

Well Kobe is what? 27ish? He probably grew up with Jordan as his hero.

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Originally posted by UkyoTachibana:

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Originally posted by MEXICANCRACKER4:
Theres not a chance in hell the lakers or the celtics will win...I hate these two teams but no ones gonna beat the San Antonio Spurs or the team their facing if they win cause the spurs have the best teamwork...Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen....come on the only teams capable of beating them is Dallas, or Phoenix.

"Team Work" is a generalized and vague perception of why the Spurs had been a basketball dynasty. Sure, team chemistry is a factor, but there's so much more to it than that.

For instance, they have at least 3 scorers who are legitimate threats (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili). Most importantly, they play DEFENSE. The Spurs are the exact reason why the Suns can never ever win a championship, on D'antoni's "Run and Gun" offense.

For controversial point's sakes, the Spurs do also get the benefit of getting a lot of referee calls their way, the majority of the time.

True...but it works for the spurs and the suns main problem this year is shaq...hes terrible

How about we talk about a real sport.

Like hockey.

And how my Penguins man-handled Josh's Rangers.

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Hide Post
How about we talk about a real sport.

Like hockey.

And how my Penguins man-handled Josh's Rangers.

I like watching fake sports. Never watched hockey. Heard it's intense though.

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Originally posted by MEXICANCRACKER4:
True...but it works for the spurs and the suns main problem this year is shaq...hes terrible

I'm afraid that's a bit inaccurate. With or without Shaq (and with or without Shawn Marion), the Suns would've STILL been taken apart by the Spurs' pick and roll.

The Suns stunk at defense, period.

That's WHY the Suns signed Shaq, to begin with. The Spurs' type of game is play big, play rough, play tough defense. In the past, the Suns had been pushed around by the Spurs in every physical aspect. With Shaq, he clogs up the paint and would be a "better" defensive option who can match the Spurs' physical style. Think about it: Who's going to bully Shaq around, one on one?

Not to mention, Shaq DRAWS the double team from Amare Stoudemire (making him a power forward rather than a center), AND Shaq still has a high percentage shot under the basket.

On paper, the Suns improved a little bit, but not by much.

Let's face it, had they not faced the Spurs too early in the playoffs, they might've had a better chance to advance to Round 2... Spurs = Suns Kryptonite.

I agree but all I really noticed out of shaq was.....NOTHING REALLY! Almost all of Tony Parkers points were in the paint. What does that tell you. Basically shaq isnt doing the job hes supposedly really good at...and plus the spurs also pulled the "hack a shaq" technique every time the suns had a shot for points

Amazing game tonight... We were 20 down and came back FTW!!!!

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Originally posted by dropK1CK_ninJA:
How about we talk about a real sport.

Like hockey.

And how my Penguins man-handled Josh's Rangers.

I hope the Penguins smash Detriot.

Cannot count out the Spurs, as I've said earlier, and now look what happened, they've taken out the Hornets. Will they be able to take out the Lakers? Who knows. I like the Lakers' chance this time around, though.

Pistons stole one important game. And the Celtics can't win for cr@p on the road... Start praying, Celtics fans.

My prediction of Pistons vs. Lakers finals might actually happen! (Gasp, I'm an NBA expert analyst!)

P.S. BULLS #1 DRAFT PICK! 1.7% chance of happening! If we get Rose, then get something good for trading Hinnrich, watch out, we could be contenders again!

Sucks to be you, D'Antoni! Karma's a biatch.