The NBA Playoffs.

[Direckshun]

The East:

1 Celtics
8 Hawks
Celtics will sweep the crap out of the Hawks.

4 Cavaliers
5 Wizards
If Arenas is back in a groove, the Wizards are easily talented enough to make this work.

3 Magic
6 Raptors
The Magic would have struggled with the 76ers, but the Raptors match up poorly with them.

2 Pistons
7 76ers
76ers may pick off a game here.

The West:

1 Lakers
8 Nuggets
The Nuggets definitely had a shot with the Hornets -- but the Lakers offense will shred them.

4 Jazz
5 Rockets
The Rockets can't make any mistakes at home -- if they do, this series is over.

3 Spurs
6 Suns
Nightmare matchup for the Spurs. The Suns are built to beat them, and now they will.

2 Hornets
7 Mavericks
Both teams are relishing this matchup. The Hornets know the Mavs are vulnerable, and the Mavs know the Hornets could melt in the bright lights.

I am predicting no fewer than five Game Sevens, and while I think the Celtics are taking this sucker, the Western team I like the most is going to surprise you....

[Lzen]

chiefzilla,
you sound like a Pistons fan or just plain a Celtic hater.

Good thing for Boston that Ray Allen found his stroke. I hope that Rondo really works on his shot this offseason. He is definitely a liability on offense. He's great at penetrating despite some missed layups. But man is the guy afraid to take an open shot or what? That makes it easier for Detroit to defend. Boston is playing 4 vs 5 on offense a lot of times.

[Direckshun]

*walks into thread*

*collapses*

WHAT A ****ING GAME.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla

This strategy is such horseshit. There's a reason most teams don't do it, and it's because it is such a dick move. The penalty is meant to hurt the team in the penalty. Every team should have a choice between free throws and in bounding the ball. And it'a so ****ing boring to watch

This is funny, but difficult. I've read back a few pages and can't figure out what type of play you're referring to, Mr. chiefzilla. Was it an intentional foul? I'm completely curious, now.

FAX

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Im rooting for the Pistons, but Im neither a fan or a Celtics Hater. No reason for this rockets fan to hate the Celtics. I truly have never been a fan of teams getting punished for something they are intended to be rewarded for. I just don't want to see this strategy spread like the flop. Teams have always been aware of this strategy, but for some reason few teams actually do it. Im thinking of great 3-point shots to tie a game(like Kenny Smith against the Magic in the NBA finals) and it would be a shame to see moments those moments become a thing of the past. Free throws are boring and we already see enough of them. Easy fix... just give them a choice. Football does it and so should the NBA

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by FAX

This is funny, but difficult. I've read back a few pages and can't figure out what type of play you're referring to, Mr. chiefzilla. Was it an intentional foul? I'm completely curious, now.

FAX

It's when teams are down by three and instead of having an opportunity to tie the game, they get intentionally fouled and HAVE to go to the line and shoot two.

[Lzen]

Fair enough. Personally, I don't so much have a problem with this strategy. Yes, FTs are boring but they are part of the game and this is the deal at all levels. The thing that I hate is when they are allowed to just foul a player that isn't anywhere near the ball (see Shaq). Now that is horse shit.

[Direckshun]

There's nothing you can do about intentional fouling.

Intentional fouling has been part of strategy since basketball's had refs.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla

It's when teams are down by three and instead of having an opportunity to tie the game, they get intentionally fouled and HAVE to go to the line and shoot two.

Do whatever you have to do to win the game. If Phoenix had fouled the Spurs they win that game one. Now they sit at home watching. Could have been a different series, but oh well at least it was entertaining.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla

It's when teams are down by three and instead of having an opportunity to tie the game, they get intentionally fouled and HAVE to go to the line and shoot two.

Ah ... as I thought. Thanks, Mr. chiefzilla. I figured it out because I hate that rule, also. You're absolutely right. Teams should either get three FTs (which is bad, because you're leaving the "intentionality" decision in the hands of the refs) or the option to take the ball out of bounds at half court.

FAX

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

I don't blame the Celtics for doing it. It's smart, but to me it is such a dick move.

I guess the counter-argument is that since the losing team can use this strategy (make the game longer, force them to make free throws), then you cannot punish a winning team for doing the same thing. It's just that I've always accepted the losing team's desperation because it is so common. I guess I need to accept that a winning team has every right to a free throw strategy.

Giving teams the option to in-bound the ball would eliminate all free throw strategies, so I guess I really jumped the gun on a solution. Really, I can't think of one other than hoping for more coaches who choose play great defense instead.

[Basileus777]

The NBA is going to impose fines for flopping! Hallelujah!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3416579

[kcxiv]

We could very well see the L.A/Boston Finals. Its just around the corner.

[Deberg_1990]

NBA admits foul should have been called at end of Lakers/Spurs game 4.

Not making any excuses. The Lakers are clearly the better team this year. But these sort of post game half hearted apologies are always kind of funny. Id feel alot better about this sort of stuff if the league would take action and fine the refs or suspend them. Punish these guys! Do something to fix the problem




http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/...kn_nba_no_foul



NEW YORK - The NBA acknowledged Wednesday that a foul should have been called on the final possession of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals, which would have given the San Antonio Spurs a chance to even the series.

Trailing 93-91 on Tuesday night, the Spurs inbounded the ball with 2.1 seconds left to Brent Barry, who was bumped by Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher on the floor. No foul was called, and Barry missed badly on a 3-pointer before time expired.

Spurs players and coach Gregg Popovich said a foul should not have been called, but the NBA disagreed with them after reviewing the play.

"With the benefit of instant replay, it appears a foul should have been called," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Had that happened, Barry would have gone to the line for two free throws and a chance to tie the game. Instead, the defending champion Spurs trail the series 3-1 and face elimination Thursday in Los Angeles.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Id feel alot better about this sort of stuff if the league would take action and fine the refs or suspend them. Punish these guys! Do something to fix the problem

Yeah, it would have been nice if they would have done some punishment in this way last year. Then maybe the Spurs would not have won the title.

[Direckshun]

Well that was just a hell of a game yesterday.

Both teams played amazing defense, but both teams kept shooting the lights out over it.

Really was playoff atmosphere.

Say what you want about the calls going the C's way, or cheap fouling tactics, or anything like that... but when you get outrebounded 45-25 or something like that, you're going to lose.

Amazing game.