*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (11 Viewers)

[tommyGunZ]

According to Orlando radio and news stations, Dwight Howard announced at his Twitter party yesterday that he's going to sign a 2-year extension. Tommygunz >

Didn't you say Howard would be insane to sign an extension right now?

A two-year extension keeps him here another four years. Once again, great call on that "they have to trade him right away" front. You're right on top of these things.

Nice work taking my view out of context. My "they need to trade him by February" was based on Dwight NOT signing the extension that you assured me he wouldn't sign, b/c he would be "an idiot to sign an extension now" if I remember your words correctly.

 

[Premier]

According to Orlando radio and news stations, Dwight Howard announced at his Twitter party yesterday that he's going to sign a 2-year extension. Tommygunz >

Didn't you say Howard would be insane to sign an extension right now?

A two-year extension keeps him here another four years. Once again, great call on that "they have to trade him right away" front. You're right on top of these things.

Nice work taking my view out of context. My "they need to trade him by February" was based on Dwight NOT signing the extension that you assured me he wouldn't sign, b/c he would be "an idiot to sign an extension now" if I remember your words correctly.

sureyou've been banging that drum the entire season. I made that comment 2 weeks ago. It's ok to be wrong and sound foolish man. You should be used to it.

 

[shake zula]

Anyone else want some "lite" action on this series? Last call!

 

[Moe.]

According to Orlando radio and news stations, Dwight Howard announced at his Twitter party yesterday that he's going to sign a 2-year extension.

Tommygunz >

This espn story is full of the typical bs athletes say in this situation. Doesn't really look like a firm commitment or anything, I haven't seen his tweets though and the article doesn't mention them.

 

[Raider Nation]

So ummmm, who gets the treat of trying to check LeBron?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So ummmm, who gets the treat of trying to check LeBron?

I'd think Marion.

 

[TobiasFunke]

According to Orlando radio and news stations, Dwight Howard announced at his Twitter party yesterday that he's going to sign a 2-year extension.

Tommygunz >

This espn story is full of the typical bs athletes say in this situation. Doesn't really look like a firm commitment or anything, I haven't seen his tweets though and the article doesn't mention them.

There are unsubstantiated reports that he's planning to sign. LinkSounds pretty soft to me, but I'd obviously still be encouraged if I was an Orlando fan.

 

[Bogart]

Give me the Mavs in 6. Split the first two games, 2 of 3 back in Dallas and finishes it off in Miami.

Wade will come up injured, Bosh will get cold and James by himself will not be enough.

 

[Todem]

Ok. Super pumped for tonight. I also have a pair of tickets for Thursday night. So let;s just say I am rady for the Finals!

Heat in 6. I feel we will sweep our home games steal one in Dallas and close him here in game 6.

By no means will this be an easy series. In fact this will be our toughest IMO. The Mavs can hit you from a lot of areas.

One aspect of the matchups that will be critical is Wade exploiting Jason Kidd (I am going to assume they put Kidd on Wade most of the time). Kidd is old. He is a crafty ball stealer but he can not flat out defend a guy like Wade (most can't anyway). they need to exploit this match-up big time. Drive right at him. I also expect Bosh to have another great series. I would love to see Mike Miller continue to play well. Chalmers needs to play in control and continue to hit big shots when asked. Lebron will be a force.

Lebron will win this series MVP award.

Bring home boys....bring it home.

Game one final score

Heat 103

Mavericks 97

Wade - 28 points 6 boards 3 dimes

Lebron - 31 points 10 boards 9 dimes

Bosh - 16 points 11 boards

Miller - 8 points

Haslem - 8 points

Bibby - 4 points

Chalmers - 8 points

Joel Anthony - 3 blocks

 

[Abraham]

Mavs in five

 

[biggamer3]

Nets fans or fan, I am a Knick fan and i like the Nets. Want them to do well especially with the move to Brooklyn soon, but what are their options now?

They dealt all their assets for D Will, the pick turned out to be the #3 pick in the deal. Kris Kardashian is gonna want real money know and if Nets sign him they have little cap room and not much on roster different from last year.

I cant see D Will staying there long term especially considering how dominant the Heat will be for the next 5 years. Guys in their late 20's know their opportunity is now or never

 

[Moe.]

ugh, I had forgotten all about the 2-3-2 until I read todem's post. So stupid.

 

[Todem]

Mavs in five

Wow.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Nets fans or fan, I am a Knick fan and i like the Nets. Want them to do well especially with the move to Brooklyn soon, but what are their options now?

They dealt all their assets for D Will, the pick turned out to be the #3 pick in the deal. Kris Kardashian is gonna want real money know and if Nets sign him they have little cap room and not much on roster different from last year.

I cant see D Will staying there long term especially considering how dominant the Heat will be for the next 5 years. Guys in their late 20's know their opportunity is now or never

The Nets aren't in the Southeast, and Kobe's only two years older than Wade while the emerging studs in Oklahoma are younger than all the other current superstar pairings. Where's he gonna run to?Also, I'm not sure why you think it's now or never for him- seems to be that the emergence the Heat means exactly the opposite, no? I think everyone should be targeting 2013-2014, when history tells us Wade's age and the wear and tear of consecutive long playoff runs will begin to take their toll. Williams will be 29-30 around then. I assume the team will also be in Brooklyn by then. I don't know anything about Williams, but if I was in his shoes, that would sound like a pretty good timeline for attempting to rebuild while the Heat dominate over the next 2-3 years.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Dallas in six.

I know the consensus seems to be that this is LBJ's time, but Wade appears to be not 100%, Dallas is playing as well as, if not better than, the Heat right now, and I think Dallas has the edge in depth and coaching. And that will make the difference in a long series, so long as Dallas' shooters don't go cold and/or Stern decides to stick it to Cuban again.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

For those betting the dog Mavs, make sure you get at least 8-5 on your money.

 

[Instinctive]

ugh, I had forgotten all about the 2-3-2 until I read todem's post. So stupid.

Incredibly stupid. Although maybe this time ti will screw them like it screwed us. Getting three in a row at home can be a massive momentum swinger.

 

[biggamer3]

I got mavericks ml +175

 

[TobiasFunke]

ugh, I had forgotten all about the 2-3-2 until I read todem's post. So stupid.

Incredibly stupid. Although maybe this time ti will screw them like it screwed us. Getting three in a row at home can be a massive momentum swinger.

Crazy that it comes down to the Heat having won a game in which they rested all of their starters.

 

[culdeus]

ugh, I had forgotten all about the 2-3-2 until I read todem's post. So stupid.

Incredibly stupid. Although maybe this time ti will screw them like it screwed us. Getting three in a row at home can be a massive momentum swinger.

Crazy that it comes down to the Heat having won a game in which they rested all of their starters.

I guess tiebreaker is h2h which Dallas took 2-0.

 

[biggamer3]

Wow, those meaningless end of season games can decide home Court. Teams should pay attention and play all 82

 

[TobiasFunke]

Wow, those meaningless end of season games can decide home Court. Teams should pay attention and play all 82

There was an article about on ESPN.com's big Series feature that discusses it - can't remember which one. But basically the Heat's playoff position was secured in every possible scenario except facing the Mavs in the Finals. Given the odds of that at the time, it wasn't necessarily a terrible move to rest the starters (especially since they won anyway, I guess).

 

[Gr00vus]

Finals tip off in an hour. So let's talk about the Lakers!

They introduced Brown officially as head coach today. Barnes was the only player in attendance, which I take to be a pretty good sign he's picking up his player option. Brown said he's not going to run the triangle. He also said he's spoken with Andrew Bynum's mom, but didn't mention talking to Andrew Bynum.

More tidbits.

 

[Zigg]

Should be an entertaining final. Love to see either Dirk or LeBron win, so I'm content either way.

 

[LHUCKS]

Heat in 6

 

[LHUCKS]

This is really an all UofA series

Mike Bibby vs. Jason Terry

Pac10 = The Conference of Champions

 

[Zigg]

Magic is absolutely terrible.

 

[LHUCKS]

Magic is absolutely terrible.

you're not the target demographic

 

[LHUCKS]

me loves me some McDonald...sing that ditty you little groovy white man!

 

[GOB]

Miami Heat clearly confident this series does not reach 6 running out the A+ talent out there for the National Anthem.

 

[JMon348]

The ABC Finals intro still gives me chills.

First time in 3 years I haven't been nervous for a NBA Finals game.

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

Lebron went down did a breakdancing backspin got up and passed the ball. Some may call that traveling.

Oh yeah, Bibby sucks.

 

[GOB]

Sloppy start. Somebody sub in the Jet...

 

[Abraham]

Mavs can score in bunches and I think that will make a big difference.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

Doesn't feel like the finals. Building seems low energy or maybe ABC's coverage just sucks.

 

[flapgreen]

Bron running through the defensive line there with the football.

 

[Abraham]

Doesn't feel like the finals. Building seems low energy or maybe ABC's coverage just sucks.

Heat fans confused about how to cheer for a good team? Not much practice.

 

[Grady Wilson]

Miami Heat clearly confident this series does not reach 6 running out the A+ talent out there for the National Anthem.

Huh????

 

[GOB]

Spoelstra is a doofus, correct?

 

[Card Trader]

BS call on James, Terry whiffed the dunk.

 

[flapgreen]

No prob with the forearm to the ribs there by Bron, I guess.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

BS call on James, Terry whiffed the dunk.

The refs gave him a freebee on the other end.

 

[No. 16]

I think the Mavs have a really good chance based on the first quarter. Their ball movement is getting open looks (the Mavs are missing wide open 3s) and the zone D is packing the middle against the Heat!

 

[Ghost Rider]

BS call on James, Terry whiffed the dunk.

True, but he got away with an offensive foul earlier where he ran Chandler over, not to mention that last shove on their next to last possession, so he might be lucky to only have two fouls.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Doesn't feel like the finals. Building seems low energy or maybe ABC's coverage just sucks.

Heat fans confused about how to cheer for a good team? Not much practice.

Ouch.Mavericks with a great start. LeBron with 2 fouls already. That could kill the Heat later in the game.

 

[Grady Wilson]

Doesn't feel like the finals. Building seems low energy or maybe ABC's coverage just sucks.

Heat fans confused about how to cheer for a good team? Not much practice.

Ouch.Mavericks with a great start. LeBron with 2 fouls already. That could kill the Heat later in the game.

I wouldn't say great start. They shot the ball poorly and did a horrible job rebounding. Still, I'm glad they have the lead even if it is just a point. And Peja HAS to provide something this series.

 

[Instinctive]

29% shooting is by no means a great start.

 

[Grady Wilson]

29% shooting is by no means a great start.

Miami's defense is great, but Dirk needs to be a little more assertive. They are double teaming him, but when they don't he needs to take his game down low.

 

[Kev4029]

Remember when I said I hated JVG? Here is a quote from a minute ago:

"Here is the thing, if his dribble is released when his foot is on the line, and then it comes up and then he touches the ball, I don't think that is out of bounds."

First, Jeff, you can't save the ball to yourself, second you need two feet in bounds to reestablish yourself in bounds. Yes actually, that is out of bounds. This dude has been involved in coaching basketball longer than I have been alive, and he is still this dumb. I wish you would get another NBA coaching job so I wouldn't have to listen to you.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

Remember when I said I hated JVG? Here is a quote from a minute ago:"Here is the thing, if his dribble is released when his foot is on the line, and then it comes up and then he touches the ball, I don't think that is out of bounds."First, Jeff, you can't save the ball to yourself, second you need two feet in bounds to reestablish yourself in bounds. Yes actually, that is out of bounds. This dude has been involved in coaching basketball longer than I have been alive, and he is still this dumb. I wish you would get another NBA coaching job so I wouldn't have to listen to you.

Get rid of all the announcers and just turn up the crowd/court noise. The Lakers do this for a few telecasts during the season and it's glorious. I can't imagine what'd be like to watch the nfl on tv and only be able to hear the crowd reacting to the game. It'd feel like you were at the game.