2008-09 NBA Playoffs

[CubbieBum]

NBA Top 50 Players during the 90s

Barkely-Ran into Jordan, lost

Malone-Ran into Jordan twice in finals, lost both times

Stockton-See above

Ewing-Ran into Jordan too many times to count and never won

Drexler-Ran into Jordan, lost

Isiah-Beat MJ three times, got swept never to be seen again.

Magic-Ran into Jordan, lost

Hakeem won 2 championships during MJ's first retirement (MJ's short return year they lost in the EC finals), when Jordan returned to the finals The Dream never returned back to the finals.

 

All these top 50 no championship guys would of probably won the title if it wasnt for MJ winning 6 championships in 6 years. So much of what i remember hearing about Jordan pre titles is the same as Lebron. Scores too much, guards dont win championships alone without a big man, not as good as Magic, Bird until he wins one. LeBrons story is yet to be written as Jordans was too, if he doesnt win at least one i will be totally shocked.

 

I've said this before to friends and I will say it again. The year Jordan came back and Houston won, his averages were equal to what he was doing before and after that year in the playoffs. Considering the Bulls lost to Orlando in 6 and the Rockets swept Orlando its ridiculous to just not count that championship. I'll give you the first championship since the Rockets didn't dominate that playoffs but the second one when Jordan was back, although perhaps not a full 100% gelled Bulls team, the Rockets dominated and Hakeem and all the others should get their due credit for it.

 

Also Isiah did win three championships before the Bulls took over. The reason he was never heard from again once Jordan got over the top was because he was a small, undersized, quick guard who got old and slowed down (a lot like Iverson has).

[CubbieBum]

Oh and as far as Pippen goes I think he was a very good player who Jordan made great. Because of Jordan, Pippen was able to get 1-on-1's and open shots. He could also rest from time to time on offense when Jordan was on and concentrate on playing great defense. Pippen to me is similar to an Artest today. A guy who plays very good defense throughout his career and on offense can score but not dominate consistently.

[Guest]

I really hate that the Lakers, for a stretch in the first half, let JR Smith drive to the hoop. He's a chucker who went 1-for-10 from 3 in the last game so you have to make him hit 3's. If he hits a couple, then play him close and see if he'll drive past you. But you have to make him hit his outside shots first.

[OleMissCub]

please don't roll over Nuggets

[Guest]

I fully expect about 35 3-point attempts for the rest of the fourth from JR Smith.

[OleMissCub]

I fully expect about 35 3-point attempts for the rest of the fourth from JR Smith.

 

he won't even be in the game much longer at the rate this is going.

[Guest]

I fully expect about 35 3-point attempts for the rest of the fourth from JR Smith.

 

he won't even be in the game much longer at the rate this is going.

 

If anyone can find a way to take shots after they've fouled out, it's JR Smith.

[Guest]

Nobody is beating the Lakers if they play like they did tonight.

 

Kobe with 35 and 10 assists. The supporting cast was outstanding as well - Odom with his second straight solid game (20 and 8), Gasol excellent (20 and 12), and Ariza hitting shots (17 points on 7-of-9 shooting).

 

Of course, this was probably about as good as they can play and I don't expect them to duplicate it for every game of the finals.

[illiniguy]

Oh and as far as Pippen goes I think he was a very good player who Jordan made great. Because of Jordan, Pippen was able to get 1-on-1's and open shots. He could also rest from time to time on offense when Jordan was on and concentrate on playing great defense. Pippen to me is similar to an Artest today. A guy who plays very good defense throughout his career and on offense can score but not dominate consistently.

Did you happen to be alive in 94?

[illiniguy]

Nobody is beating the Lakers if they play like they did tonight.

 

Kobe with 35 and 10 assists. The supporting cast was outstanding as well - Odom with his second straight solid game (20 and 8), Gasol excellent (20 and 12), and Ariza hitting shots (17 points on 7-of-9 shooting).

 

Of course, this was probably about as good as they can play and I don't expect them to duplicate it for every game of the finals.

Agreed. If the Lakers can play at that level no one can touch them.

[Derwood]

equating Ron Artest with Scottie Pippen is one of the dumbest things I've heard in a long time

[Guest]

equating Ron Artest with Scottie Pippen is one of the dumbest things I've heard in a long time

I can see where he was going with it. Both great defenders. Both had limitations in their ability to carry a team from a scoring perspective.

 

The huge differences between the two come from a lack of craziness and the ability to run a team from a point forward position. Both being enormous differences between them, of course.

[Magnetic Curses]

Oh and as far as Pippen goes I think he was a very good player who Jordan made great. Because of Jordan, Pippen was able to get 1-on-1's and open shots. He could also rest from time to time on offense when Jordan was on and concentrate on playing great defense. Pippen to me is similar to an Artest today. A guy who plays very good defense throughout his career and on offense can score but not dominate consistently.

 

except pippen led the bulls to 55 wins without jordan, but you make a good point.

 

i just said you make a good point to mess with you. you don't make a good point.

[Magnetic Curses]

and pippen should have been the mvp that year.

 

but you can seriously put 2 asterisks by the rockets' championships.

[Andy]

and pippen should have been the mvp that year.

 

but you can seriously put 2 asterisks by the rockets' championships.

There is no way on Earth that a non-rusty MJ lets the Bulls lose to Orlando. They only lost in 6, one of those losses coming when Jordan turned the ball over on late possessions back to back times, which never ever happens. Yes, the Rockets swept Orlando. No, that doesn't really mean much of anything in relation to how they'd have played the Bulls.

[Magnetic Curses]

has lebron always had that growth under his right ear or is it something new?

[Magnetic Curses]

confederated products arena.

[ELCABALLO45]

I like the Magic chances alot vs. the Lakers. But LA should and will be the favorite. Sucks that the Cavs are not going to be in the finals, knowing that they were the best team in the NBA all year. However, Lakers vs. Magic is going to be alot of fun despite what people might say.

[cubweiser03]

A couple years ago wasnt the criticism of Kobe the same as some of the undercurrent criticism of Lebron. Kobe wants to be like Jordan too much and be the man, he scores too much, he wants to be the franchise and not the 2nd fiddle to Shaq, etc etc, Now what, dudes in the finals after averaging 'only' 26 in the reg and 29 in the playoffs. Kobe V Lebron would be great, too bad Bron is getting blown out at half.

[JonJayCutler]

Nerves are starting to set in as an Orlando fan. I don't really like our chances against the Lakers assuming we get there, but then again it can't really go any worse than it did in 95. This game ain't over yet though. Got a feeling the Cavs have one final run in them.

[ELCABALLO45]

A couple years ago wasnt the criticism of Kobe the same as some of the undercurrent criticism of Lebron. Kobe wants to be like Jordan too much and be the man, he scores too much, he wants to be the franchise and not the 2nd fiddle to Shaq, etc etc, Now what, dudes in the finals after averaging 'only' 26 in the reg and 29 in the playoffs. Kobe V Lebron would be great, too bad Bron is getting blown out at half.

 

And that LeBron's second best player on his team is Mo Williams lol.

[ELCABALLO45]

Yup, spoke to early

[Guest]

I like the Magic chances alot vs. the Lakers. But LA should and will be the favorite. Sucks that the Cavs are not going to be in the finals, knowing that they were the best team in the NBA all year. However, Lakers vs. Magic is going to be alot of fun despite what people might say.

 

LA should and will be the favorite, but Orlando did win both games against LA this year. It certainly won't be an easy series and I could easily see Orlando winning it.

 

I really think Lamar Odom is the key to the series. You know Kobe is going to get his 30 per game and Pau will get 15-20. But if Odom can do what he did in Game's 5 and 6 and against Utah, whoever the Lakers play will be in trouble. At least one of the other guys (Fisher/Ariza/Farmar/Brown/Vujacic/Bynum) will hit a few shots every night.

[ELCABALLO45]

I like the Magic chances alot vs. the Lakers. But LA should and will be the favorite. Sucks that the Cavs are not going to be in the finals, knowing that they were the best team in the NBA all year. However, Lakers vs. Magic is going to be alot of fun despite what people might say.

 

LA should and will be the favorite, but Orlando did win both games against LA this year. It certainly won't be an easy series and I could easily see Orlando winning it.

 

I really think Lamar Odom is the key to the series. You know Kobe is going to get his 30 per game and Pau will get 15-20. But if Odom can do what he did in Game's 5 and 6 and against Utah, whoever the Lakers play will be in trouble. At least one of the other guys (Fisher/Ariza/Farmar/Brown/Vujacic/Bynum) will hit a few shots every night.

 

Yeah, when Odom is going the Lakers are almost impossible to beat.

[Guest]

I think this one is over.