The Playoffs this year are such a joke, honestly. Okay first of all, we had the Atlanta Hawks, who finished SIXTEEN games under .500 during the regular season, not only make the Playoffs, but take the Boston Celtics, who finished FIFTY games above .500, to seven games. The home teams are absolutely dominating the Playoffs in a way that's never happened before. I think the figure was like the home team's winning percentage in the conference quarter-finals was like .750 and so far, pending the outcome of the Lakers-Jazz game tonight, in the conference semi-finals, the home team is a combined 18-1. To top all of this nonsense off, the officiating is absolutely horrendous, more-so even than last season's Playoffs. During the regular season the Celtics had the best road record in the NBA, and during the Playoffs they're currently 0-5. I just want to see some teams grow a set and pull it together on the road.

I don't know how many people here are interested in basketball, but for those of you who are, do you agree with me on this?

Take it a step further, the regular season is a joke. As you pointed out, statistically crappy teams (they may be decent enough teams that just underacheive during the regular season) can glide into the playoffs and do very well.

Having been an avid NBA fan for most of my life, I'm going to have to say that this is how the playoffs have always been. The biggest difference, imho, is that the players simply aren't as immune to the pressures of playing on the road as they once were. The players don't execute with the same efficiency. I remember watching the Lakers of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar play against the Celtics of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and the Pistons of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars--those teams were so tough under pressure. Ice water in their veins. The games were epic wire-to-wire battles because the teams were like well-oiled machines. The ball movement and tenacity to stick to a game plan were superior to today's game. Those guys thought the game better.

Then there came along Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls, a team which also had an iron will and the ability to execute a game plan to perfection. If the outcome was ever in doubt, Jordan would just destroy whoever tried to guard him in the fourth quarter. That's a key difference, Jordan could take over the game playing one-on-five basketball, and no player has ever been able to do that, before or since. Jordan's the best player of all time because he was the CLUTCHEST player of all time.

A lot of young NBA players want to do what Jordan did in those fourth quarters, but they're not Jordan. So when the game is on the line you'll see a lot of young guys forcing up stupid shots, trying to be a hero, instead of running the offense and sharing the ball and getting good shots as a team. The Shaq/Kobe Lakers that won three titles in a row knew how to share the ball and beat teams with smart play. Tim Duncan's Spurs are a defensive-minded team, and their titles have been won with sound execution and efficient basketball.

The "home court advantage" has always been in play. The officiating has always been this way, always frustrating and one-sided for the home team. Road teams have to gut it out and adjust to how the game is being called.

I think there's some outstanding basketball being played right now, most notably by Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.

Then there came along Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls, a team which also had an iron will and the ability to execute a game plan to perfection. If the outcome was ever in doubt, Jordan would just destroy whoever tried to guard him in the fourth quarter. That's a key difference, Jordan could take over the game playing one-on-five basketball, and no player has ever been able to do that, before or since. Jordan's the best player of all time because he was the CLUTCHEST player of all time.

I grew up with the Bulls dynasty years. Hence, the NBA is painful for me to watch right now.

I agree on the stupid shots thing, although I can't really say I was around during the Magic Johnson Laker days. If they just set being a hero aside they could achieve so much more. And as far as underachieving teams go, I'm sorry but the Atlanta Hawks just suck, plain and simple. Yes they took three games from the Celtics, and yes they have some really good young talent, but overall they're a terrible team and if the Celtics could win a damn game on the road you would've seen that. The Pistons would've EASILY 4-0'ed them is all I'm saying.

I also agree on Chris Paul, the kid is absolutely amazing, best point guard in the NBA and possibly in a long, long time.

I'm so happy the Lakers are finally getting leverage and Kobe getting an MVP, love it! Something that I can't stand is why SA is still winning.

I was also going for the Mavs but, well, that didn't work out too well...I just dont get why they choke in the playoffs? Dirk pisses me off SO BADLY, he always ends the game and says things like yeah, we didn't execute - then shut the hell up and execute, you do that EVERY GAME! ugh

Then there came along Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls, a team which also had an iron will and the ability to execute a game plan to perfection. If the outcome was ever in doubt, Jordan would just destroy whoever tried to guard him in the fourth quarter. That's a key difference

Did you get that just by watching him or reading his book? Because he actually mentioned that in his book...

Never read his book, and was never a Bulls fan. Jordan was just...The Man. What can you say? Not my favorite player, just the best there ever was. One of the things that's sort of forgotten about Jordan is how ridiculous an athlete he was when he was young. Before he was the best player, Jordan was the best dunker. The hype started before he won anything, then he went ahead and started winning titles like it was easy.

I'm a Laker fan, born and raised. I bleed purple and gold.

All I care about is the ****ing celtics sucking ****.


Hell I know they won last night, but they should be killing everyone like they did in the regular season. If only Ray Allen didn't suck up the place we would be winning.

Hell I should have seen this, after the Pats choke, it was only a matter of time before the Celtics did.

All I care about is the ****ing celtics sucking ****.


Hell I know they won last night, but they should be killing everyone like they did in the regular season. If only Ray Allen didn't suck up the place we would be winning.

Hell I should have seen this, after the Pats choke, it was only a matter of time before the Celtics did.
It's really not Allen's fault. He played really well in the Atlanta series and yet we somehow managed to drop 3 games to them.

It's the team's defense on the road that's killing them. They're giving up fewer than 85 ppg at home and over 100 on the road. People like Rondo are trying to play hero when it should be "the big three" taking matters into their own hands and shutting down the Cavs.

how can this be a joke if it indeed happened?


hell all the celtics have to do is not lose a home game and they have won it, doubt that will happen....

i had lakers beat spurs and pistons beating celtics before the playoffs in even started, then i have the lakers taking out the pistons in the finals...


hell if lakers can beat the spurs, celtics or pistons will be a piece of cake.....

how can this be a joke if it indeed happened?


hell all the celtics have to do is not lose a home game and they have won it, doubt that will happen....

i had lakers beat spurs and pistons beating celtics before the playoffs in even started, then i have the lakers taking out the pistons in the finals...


hell if lakers can beat the spurs, celtics or pistons will be a piece of cake.....
By the way the Piston played last night they won't make it to the Finals.

actually by the way they played last night, they will


beating boston at bostons home court... when boston can't win on the road at all..... pistons will go to the finals as i said before...

hahhahahh Lakers gonna go to 2-0 BABY!!!!!!

actually by the way they played last night, they will


beating boston at bostons home court... when boston can't win on the road at all..... pistons will go to the finals as i said before...
you feel stupid. 2-1 anyone? kk.

im glad the lakers won as i said they would

seeing that rip got hurt in game 5 i think the celtics will win after all

but game 6 has to go to the pistons... i got celtics winning in game seven

lakers vs celtics, finally a good NBA finals... hopefully

im glad the lakers won as i said they would

seeing that rip got hurt in game 5 i think the celtics will win after all

but game 6 has to go to the pistons... i got celtics winning in game seven

lakers vs celtics, finally a good NBA finals... hopefully
i think they were going to win regardless. they just need production from the bench players, in game two the starters scored 89 of the 97 point in the loss. remarkably in game five the starters scored 103 of boston's 106 in a win. i don't get how they can play like that, there's no excuse for it.

Lakers vs Boston

Lakers 4-2

i got lakers in 7... im probably wrong, celtics look really good at home, this series really depends on which team can win on the road

I quit watching the NBA a few years ago, used to love it and watch it all the time and now I simply don't care at all. I have a low tolerance for whining millionaires...

all i care about is kobe

KOBE ALL DAY ALL DAY!

this sucks.... the finals are on abc, and my mom cancelled my abc from my direct tv last year after the finals *cavs vs spurs*....

now the only way i can watch the games is at 3 a.m when they show it on espn... espn should really show the finals.... this is bull****

this sucks.... the finals are on abc, and my mom cancelled my abc from my direct tv last year after the finals *cavs vs spurs*....

now the only way i can watch the games is at 3 a.m when they show it on espn... espn should really show the finals.... this is bull****
If I can get my cap card set up at my step-dad's house, maybe I can broadcast it on ustream or something.

im just going to record the one that comes on at 3 am on espn, watch it first thing in the morning

okay, but if you wanna see it live let me know haha.

Game 2 tonight, pumped for it, hopefully another win for Celts

I quit watching the NBA a few years ago, used to love it and watch it all the time and now I simply don't care at all. I have a low tolerance for whining millionaires...

hahhaha Dog Town, remember?

UooitEU6AtE&

ahh, I miss the NBA on NBC :)

i checked on espn news and the celtics are up by like 15

damn if they go up 2-0, i don't see how the lakers could come back

Only three teams in NBA history have come back to win the series after dropping the first two. Looking grim for the Lakers, barring a miracle.

yeah and one of those teams was uhh.... 2 years ago (heat vs mavs)

lakers still have a chance

you have to admit, those refs were horrible last night, as phil jackson said, leon powe had more free throw attempts than the whole laker team.... im glad the lakers came back from 24 to 2 in the 4th, then they end up losing by like 6, they should of played that way the whole game instead of in just 1 quarter

yeah and one of those teams was uhh.... 2 years ago (heat vs mavs)

lakers still have a chance

you have to admit, those refs were horrible last night, as phil jackson said, leon powe had more free throw attempts than the whole laker team.... im glad the lakers came back from 24 to 2 in the 4th, then they end up losing by like 6, they should of played that way the whole game instead of in just 1 quarter
Not gonna say they were totally not trying, but you know for a fact the Celtics definitely let up a LOT on the fourth after gaining that ridiculous 24 point lead. I'm gonna say the Celtics will scrap out a victory in Game 3, the Lakers will take Games 4 and 5, and the Celtics will finish them off in Game 6 at home.

i don't see lakers losing game 3, i see them winning 3,4 and 5.... then losing 6, winning in 7... oh that would be awesome!

i don't see lakers losing game 3, i see them winning 3,4 and 5.... then losing 6, winning in 7... oh that would be awesome!
wishful thinking, pierce will score 35+, he always has breakout games in LA.

wishful thinking, pierce will score 35+, he always has breakout games in LA.

yeah things are looking good for the celts

I really thought the Lakers would win game 2 after their 4th quarter comeback...What a letdown. :(

i still say lakers have a chance after seeing the heat come back and beat dallas two years ago

omg that was the best comeback I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!

I was so close of going to bed, but stayed a little longer in the third when they started to come back, then in the fourth, omfg. House and Powe are ****ing amazing. Powe did amazing. I'd like to see the lakers come back from that game.