NBA FINALS: Back to the Future

BaldBil · June 5th, 2008, 10:03 AM

The NBA is not always a big topic on this board. I may end up talking to myself in this thread, which would upgrade the caliber of much of the conversation from our most recent NBA thread.

The best TV ratings for the NBA over the last 10 years have been in years when LA was in the finals. This will hold true again and with Boston being the oppostion the ratings should soar(there is that arrogance again, boy it felt good).

Most of the realistic fans in The Hub(also know as the center of the universe) feel that the Celtic's need to play their best defensively in order to win. They cannot and will not stop Kobe from doing what he does. They may slow him down here or there but that will be all. They need to stop the supporting cast.

No predictions here, the Lakers a a huge step up from Detroit. All I will say is the Celtic's can beat these guys.

BtownBeers · June 5th, 2008, 10:38 AM

We won't see Andy in here I'd bet.

I think the C's have a shot to take the championship, but its gonna he hard. I am actually interested in this final (which is unusual for me since I am a casual fan) but this should be a great series.

I too think that the C's need to win with D...but I am not a basketball guy I can only go by my own knowledge and what the others say and debate.

I have to say though that I wish they would get this old school rivalry between these teams over with already, let the new teams in the new era take the spotlight and put on a good show. I may be in the minority in this thought process but its just my opinion.

BaldBil · June 5th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtownBeers

I have to say though that I wish they would get this old school rivalry between these teams over with already, let the new teams in the new era take the spotlight and put on a good show. I may be in the minority in this thought process but its just my opinion.

That's what Larry Bird has been saying.

BtownBeers · June 5th, 2008, 12:18 PM

He's a smart man!

AndyC0803 · June 5th, 2008, 02:51 PM

Lakers in 5 seems to be the pick I have heard a lot of the "experts" say. The 2-3-2 playoff format seems to speak to that but I think it is pretty tough to win 3 playoff games in a row (assuming the Lakers split the first 2 in Bean-town and win the next 3 in LA) so I am going to say Lakers in 6. I think they split the first 2, Lakers win 2 of 3 in LA, and then win it all in Boston, hopefully in crushing fashion, sending all those Irish drunks home to make love to the bottle and beat their wives.

The Lakers have a better bench, I'd take Fisher over Rondo any day in terms of savvy, and like I said before; Kobe is a stone cold killer in the 4th quarter. If he can dominate Duncan then he can dominate Garnett. Plus he seems to be approaching the Jordan level here and Jordan just won titles.

AndyC0803 · June 5th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Here are some fun Finals links:

This guy says Lakers in 5.
The hosts of The Basketball Jones say Lakers in 5 and Lakers in 6.
This guy says Celtics in 6.
Deadspin says Lakers in 5.
Bill Simmons talks himself into Celtics in 7.
And finally the experts over at CBS Sportsline weigh in with their picks; two say Celtics in 7, three say Lakers in less than 7.

EDIT: I would be remiss if I did not also mention Hardwood Paraoxysm. They cover basketball like nobody's business.

abrocks22 · June 5th, 2008, 03:09 PM

i dont know even tho i've been against the lakers for awhile....i kinda want them to win this time

ssigman · June 5th, 2008, 03:15 PM

welcome ab...

AndyC0803 · June 5th, 2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtownBeers

I have to say though that I wish they would get this old school rivalry between these teams over with already, let the new teams in the new era take the spotlight and put on a good show. I may be in the minority in this thought process but its just my opinion.

If we are trying to build something new and if it were up to me I'd love to see an Orlando/New Orleans Finals. That would not get very good ratings but it would be awesome to see some of the best young players in the league fighting it out for the title. Maybe next year.

BaldBil · June 6th, 2008, 06:38 AM

That's one................

AndyC0803 · June 6th, 2008, 07:17 AM

Credit where credit is due, the Celtics played very well last night. They were pumped for the game and it showed with the way they started out.

The Lakers played well too but they just couldn't buy a basket in the 4th quarter, Kobe especially. If they want to make this a series, they had better straighten up.

Still, I didn't see anything last night that made me think that the Lakers COULDN'T win game 2. Whether they will or not, obviously that's another story. Game 1 was bigger for the Celtics than the Lakers since they were at home and most of the players had never been in a finals game and all that but game 2 is going to be bigger for the Lakers. I wouldn't say it's a "must-win" but it's close.

Something interesting that I noticed last night, over these playoffs, I have developed a real dislike of Rajon Rondo. I mean I really can't stand that fucker but I am not 100% sure why. It's not like he is a real killer or anything, after all he's just in his second year, but something about him just irks me to no end.

BaldBil · June 6th, 2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyC0803

but something about him just irks me to no end.

I know the feeling.

BtownBeers · June 6th, 2008, 08:29 AM

Andy, I think you missed my point about the "new" vs' the "old", I meant all the talk about the old rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics...I wanted that to go away and let the "new" guys on these two teams start a fresh rivalry.

As far as last nights game, well played by the Celtics in my most humble of NBA opinions...defense and boards played a huge role in that game I think and if that can continue the Celtics have a real shot. Making Gasol somewhat invisible in the game was huge and if they can continue to shut him down this Lakers team becomes all that much more one dimensional. Pierce also came on very strong late and that was a big part.

ssigman · June 6th, 2008, 10:41 AM

he looks funny and you hate funny looking people...we understand

June 5th, 2008, 10:03 AM	#1
BaldBil Join Date: 06-15-2006 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 5,438	NBA FINALS: Back to the Future The NBA is not always a big topic on this board. I may end up talking to myself in this thread, which would upgrade the caliber of much of the conversation from our most recent NBA thread. The best TV ratings for the NBA over the last 10 years have been in years when LA was in the finals. This will hold true again and with Boston being the oppostion the ratings should soar(there is that arrogance again, boy it felt good). Most of the realistic fans in The Hub(also know as the center of the universe) feel that the Celtic's need to play their best defensively in order to win. They cannot and will not stop Kobe from doing what he does. They may slow him down here or there but that will be all. They need to stop the supporting cast. No predictions here, the Lakers a a huge step up from Detroit. All I will say is the Celtic's can beat these guys.

June 5th, 2008, 03:04 PM	#6
AndyC0803 Join Date: 06-26-2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,006	Here are some fun Finals links: This guy says Lakers in 5. The hosts of The Basketball Jones say Lakers in 5 and Lakers in 6. This guy says Celtics in 6. Deadspin says Lakers in 5. Bill Simmons talks himself into Celtics in 7. And finally the experts over at CBS Sportsline weigh in with their picks; two say Celtics in 7, three say Lakers in less than 7. EDIT: I would be remiss if I did not also mention Hardwood Paraoxysm. They cover basketball like nobody's business. Last edited by AndyC0803; June 5th, 2008 at 03:37 PM. Reason: Adding smiles to the world

June 6th, 2008, 07:17 AM	#11
AndyC0803 Join Date: 06-26-2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,006	Credit where credit is due, the Celtics played very well last night. They were pumped for the game and it showed with the way they started out. The Lakers played well too but they just couldn't buy a basket in the 4th quarter, Kobe especially. If they want to make this a series, they had better straighten up. Still, I didn't see anything last night that made me think that the Lakers COULDN'T win game 2. Whether they will or not, obviously that's another story. Game 1 was bigger for the Celtics than the Lakers since they were at home and most of the players had never been in a finals game and all that but game 2 is going to be bigger for the Lakers. I wouldn't say it's a "must-win" but it's close. Something interesting that I noticed last night, over these playoffs, I have developed a real dislike of Rajon Rondo. I mean I really can't stand that fucker but I am not 100% sure why. It's not like he is a real killer or anything, after all he's just in his second year, but something about him just irks me to no end. Last edited by AndyC0803; June 6th, 2008 at 08:55 AM.

June 5th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#2
BtownBeers Join Date: 08-23-2004 Location: In Mrs. Jays Pants! Posts: 22,216	We won't see Andy in here I'd bet. I think the C's have a shot to take the championship, but its gonna he hard. I am actually interested in this final (which is unusual for me since I am a casual fan) but this should be a great series. I too think that the C's need to win with D...but I am not a basketball guy I can only go by my own knowledge and what the others say and debate. I have to say though that I wish they would get this old school rivalry between these teams over with already, let the new teams in the new era take the spotlight and put on a good show. I may be in the minority in this thought process but its just my opinion.

June 5th, 2008, 12:18 PM	#4
BtownBeers Join Date: 08-23-2004 Location: In Mrs. Jays Pants! Posts: 22,216	He's a smart man!

June 5th, 2008, 02:51 PM	#5
AndyC0803 Join Date: 06-26-2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,006	Lakers in 5 seems to be the pick I have heard a lot of the "experts" say. The 2-3-2 playoff format seems to speak to that but I think it is pretty tough to win 3 playoff games in a row (assuming the Lakers split the first 2 in Bean-town and win the next 3 in LA) so I am going to say Lakers in 6. I think they split the first 2, Lakers win 2 of 3 in LA, and then win it all in Boston, hopefully in crushing fashion, sending all those Irish drunks home to make love to the bottle and beat their wives. The Lakers have a better bench, I'd take Fisher over Rondo any day in terms of savvy, and like I said before; Kobe is a stone cold killer in the 4th quarter. If he can dominate Duncan then he can dominate Garnett. Plus he seems to be approaching the Jordan level here and Jordan just won titles.

June 5th, 2008, 03:09 PM	#7
abrocks22 Join Date: 06-03-2008 Posts: 8	i dont know even tho i've been against the lakers for awhile....i kinda want them to win this time

June 5th, 2008, 03:15 PM	#8
ssigman Join Date: 03-15-2004 Posts: 27,970	welcome ab...

June 6th, 2008, 06:38 AM	#10
BaldBil Join Date: 06-15-2006 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 5,438	That's one................

June 6th, 2008, 08:29 AM	#13
BtownBeers Join Date: 08-23-2004 Location: In Mrs. Jays Pants! Posts: 22,216	Andy, I think you missed my point about the "new" vs' the "old", I meant all the talk about the old rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics...I wanted that to go away and let the "new" guys on these two teams start a fresh rivalry. As far as last nights game, well played by the Celtics in my most humble of NBA opinions...defense and boards played a huge role in that game I think and if that can continue the Celtics have a real shot. Making Gasol somewhat invisible in the game was huge and if they can continue to shut him down this Lakers team becomes all that much more one dimensional. Pierce also came on very strong late and that was a big part.

June 6th, 2008, 10:41 AM	#14
ssigman Join Date: 03-15-2004 Posts: 27,970	he looks funny and you hate funny looking people...we understand