Playoffs 2009

[SD2042]

Here are the playoff matchups of 2009


Western Conference Matchups

Los Angeles Lakers(1) vs. Utah Jazz(8)
Regular Season Series: Lakers won 2-1

Denver Nuggets(2) vs. New Orleans Hornets(7)
Regular Season Series: Tied 2-2

San Antonio Spurs(3) vs. Dallas Mavericks(6)
Regular Season Series: Tied 2-2

Houston Rockets(4) vs. Portland Trailblazers(5)
Regular Season Series: Rockets won 2-1


Eastern Conference Matchups

Cleveland Cavaliers(1) vs. Detroit Pistons(8)
Regular Season Series: Cavaliers won 3-1

Boston Celtics(2) vs. Chicago Bulls(7)
Regular Season Series: Celtics won 2-1

Orlando Magic(3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers(6)
Regular Season Series: Magic won 3-0

Atlanta Hawks(4) vs. Miami Heat(5)
Regular Season Series: Hawks won 3-1


Who do some of you have going all the way? Expect any upsets?

[SD2042]

Lakers beat Jazz 4-1

Hornets beat Nuggets 4-3

Spurs beat Mavs 4-2

Blazers beat Rockets 4-2

Cavaliers beat Pistons 4-1

Celtics beat Bulls 4-2

Magic beat Sixers 4-1

Hawks beat Heat 4-2

[SD2042]

Did anybody check out Derrick Rose's debut against the Celtics on the road on Saturday? That's a hell of a debut. 36pts and 11dimes and against a known defender in Rajon Rondo no less. Although it was a good win from the Bulls. I expect the Celts to regroup on Monday to regain footing in th match.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I have the same series outcomes as you SD, with the exception of Houston topping Portland. Did you enter the top Tillery contest SD? I soooooooooo hope I beat him LMAO!!

[SD2042]

Naw, I decided to skip it this year after going at it for the past three seasons. I'll probably get back in it next April. Right now, just enjoying the playoffs as always. BTW, good in the contest to beat Tillery.

Another thing, who you got going all the way? Right now I have Celts/Cavs vs. Lakers matchup come June.

[vanjulio]

I have same but I think Dallas and Denver will win first round. I think Denver can get to the conference finals even.


I regret picking Portland after that first game... but we'll see if they can bounce back tonight along with orlando!


Since I've never been a Kobe or Lebrandon James fan, I'm hoping for some kind of upset but I'd never bet against them making it. I have the Lakers in 6 games there.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I have Cleveland winning it all.

[SD2042]

I wanted the Celts to win it all, but with KG out. It may go to Cleveland since it's evident that they want to see LaBanon James aka(Fake MJ) to win it this season. Too bad the underrated Dwyane Wade beat him to it first. lol

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

After further review I also took Chicago over the Celtics. I too see the loss of KG as just too much to overcome, even as talented as their team is.

Ouch

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... ostseason/

[SD2042]

This is asinine. Man this blows for the Celts. They had to come apart in the postseason at the wrong time. Looks more like the Cavs are all but close to touching the title come June.

[vanjulio]

Is it too late to bring back PJ Brown!?

I'd rather get Doc Rivers suited up for some games than see Scalabrine out there.

[SD2042]

Too late to pick up Brown at this point. As for Doc suiting up, too bad he doesn't play PF.

[SD2042]

http://www.730foxsports.com/index.php

Looks like an 18yr career comes to a close for Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo after he got his leg tangled up with Portland center Greg Oden in last night's game against the Rockets.

Dikembe Mutombo:
"I'm going to need surgery. For me, basketball is over. I cried so much about it when I was laying on the floor."

It's unfortunate that his career ended this way. At least he played fo 18yrs and made a steller career out of it. He was famous for the finger wagging and the best of all, he knew out to throw block parties during the games. While the opponents hated to be on the end of those blocks, you know his teammates were grateful he was on their side. Mutombo will be missed from the league. Someone of his magniude and class is one of a kind and not something that can be duplicated.

[SD2042]

Update Playoff matches

Western Conference

Lakers win series over the Jazz 4-1

Nuggets win series over the Hornets 4-1

Mavs win series over the Spurs 4-1

Rockets win series over the Blazers 4-2

Next matches

Lakers vs. Rockets
Mavs vs. Nuggets

Eastern Conference

Celts and Bulls tied at 3-3

Cavs sweep Pistons 4-0

Magic win series over 76ers 4-2

Hawks lead the Heat 3-2 in the series


To me, the beset series has been the Celts/Bulls matchup. You have to be impress with the Bulls reziliantcy(sp) as they match toe to toe with the Celts. And considering how former Tigers Derrick Rose has played in the playoffs so far. You know when a series has been great when the games have been played very tight throughout the whole time. Neither team allowing the score not to blow out of hand and stuff like that along with individual performances like Gordon vs. Allen or Rose vs. Rondo. Like last year's first round, the Celtics find themselves taken to the limit by a lower seed to determine who moves on and who goes home. With the game these two have played against each other, I wish the matchup could go beyond the seven games, but something's got to give.

[Downtown]

The Celtics/Bulls series is a perfect example of why depth is so important. Boston loses both Garnett and Powe and continue to compete up front with the likes of Davis and Moore. And now there's a good chance Rajon Rondo gets suspended. So they throw in Marbury and House.

The only reason I'm bringing it up is because of the Grizzlies need for some veterans that can come in off the bench. Memphis really need to go after at least a couple veteran role players this offseason and I really believe it will give them a big lift as long as it's not low level ones like Ross, Buckner, and Miles.

[SD2042]

That's the truth. The Griz need quality vets who know their role and are capable of getting the job done. The three names you mention won't be back. The question will be how will they be able to lure any FA vets to a team that has endure three poor seasons to come play for them?

[Downtown]

The easy answer to your question is "money". Money always talks the loudest in the NBA. But the organization is powerless until Michael Heisley gives the thumbs up to spend. But some creativity in management certainly is in order.

Wouldn't free agent Josh Childress look great as their sixth man? He plays well on both ends of the floor. Jannero Pargo was a big reason for the Hornets past success. He was their sixth man at both guard positions and took pressure of Paul's shoulders.

There's just two examples of quality role players that left for Europe for money but probably could be lured back with equal money. I think a quality scout overseas would be a big asset to the organization. Brazilian Tiago Splitter has been playing against the men in Europe for a number of years, ever since he was still a teenager. He's now a polished veteran at still only his early twenties. Considered one of the top combo power forwards/centers in the game there, he's played in the biggest championship games. From the couple of times I've watched him plus from what I've read he sounds like a combination of PJ Brown and Jason Thompson. Lionel Hollins said after the season they need more talent on the frontline.Why not make an offer to the Spurs to get his rights? I could see him and Gasol meshing nicely as twin towers.

The veteran players are out there. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder and do more homework. Add a player or two like that, plus get one or two with some swagger and confidence and I agree that it would serve Memphis well.

[SD2042]

Money is the obvious answer. Creativity is the better answer as you stated. The team has to show they are committed towards going in the right direction more emphatically if they wish to give themselves a chance to better themselves. And like you said, this organization is powerless unless Heisley is open on spenting money. First, I would get some kind of creative style going on first before talking money. Otherwise, any team can throw amounts of dollars at players. Doesn't mean they are willing to sign here if there's anything worth being committed towards.

[SD2042]

The Rox didn't look like a team that was tryin to win the game on Sunday. If anything, they did everything to throw the game with all the TOs' they made along wit jakin up missed shots around the perimeter. So the Lakers move on b/c of it. Congrats to the Nuggets for get this far. I know CB is glad he isn't a Piston right now.

As for the Celts/Magic series. Although I'm glad the Magic won out. I have a feeling that the NBA want to give the title up to the Cavs in the long run. So much overhype around LBJ and the crew and teams act like they don't know how to make him work for his shots. We all know he isn't at his best around the perimeter. Teams have to enforce some zone defense against someone like him to keep him from slashin to the basket at will. Force him to beat you outside if you have the defense to guard him with.

[jman3134]

Although I have not been around, I am watching the playoffs religiously. As for the Cavs, sd, that is certainly true. That's why I am hoping for a Magic-Nuggets final. Forget ratings, I am sick of the hype mobile and I enjoy nothing more than seeing Bron Bron and especially Kobe get smacked. The last thing I want to see is another Lakers title or an excuse to compare Lebron to MJ. I would rather see a well rounded Nuggets team win- they have a commitment to defense and are pretty exciting to watch. They remind me of the Pistons a couple of years back- hard nosed defensive squad. And, I can't say enough about Chauncey Billups. The playoffs have been great so far, and it that doesn't bring in ratings, then who needs the half-assed basketball fans anyway!