Postseason thoughts/ramblings

[Smills91]

I just want to see Kobe sever his spinal cord. Now that'd be sweet.

[BMiller52]

I just want to see Kobe sever his spinal cord. Now that'd be sweet.

I hate Kobe too but that's awful dude. You shouldn't wish paralysis on anyone, that's practically worse than death. If you believe in karma, it's about to f u in the a sometime tomorrow... or the next day, or the one after, or even next year, or the one after that...

[KF10]

Artest: "We have not talked about opting out at all"

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In an e-mail to the Bee late Thursday night, Ron Artest sounded like a man who plans on being in Sacramento next season.
The Kings small forward has until June 30 to exercise the early termination option in his contract and become a free agent. As of now, however, he said the option is hardly being considered at all.
"My agent (Mark Stevens) is on a business trip," Artest wrote. "We have not talked about opting out at all. The playoffs just got me thinking that if me and kev (Martin) (played) the majority (of last season) and mike (Bibby) doesnt miss all those games, we could have piled on 12 or 18 more wins. That would have put us at 56 wins and that is still a failure."
Artest, of course, deemed last season a failure and has taken the general stance that anything less than a championship is a lost cause. On a non-basketball note, he said he's spending part of the offseason organizing a substantial effort to provide scholarships for high school and college students.
"Right now my manager and I are gearing for my excel university foundation," he wrote. "We are preparing a large amount of scholarships for high school and college students. This is very exciting being able to help kids and teens."
Artest is scheduled to be in studio with KHTK's Carmichael Dave on Friday night beginning around 9 p.m. And as a friendly reminder, Artest is believed to be moonlighting as a sideline TV reporter for Saturday's Monarchs regular season opener at home against San Antonio. By the sound of it, it won't be his last appearance at Arco Arena.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sp ... 12627.html

[pillwenney]

Artest: "We have not talked about opting out at all"

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http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sp ... 12627.html

Well, you gotta say this about him--he doesn't lack any confidence.

[KF10]

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Well, you gotta say this about him--he doesn't lack any confidence.

That's what I like about him. He is optimistic no matter what situation he is facing...

[Smills91]

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I hate Kobe too but that's awful dude. You shouldn't wish paralysis on anyone, that's practically worse than death. If you believe in karma, it's about to f u in the a sometime tomorrow... or the next day, or the one after, or even next year, or the one after that...

Good thing I don't, but if I did, I already took my fair share.

[Ballings7]

lol, damn

I'm very surprised by Utah... the Lakers have just imposed their will on Utah, and they aren't responding really at all.

Their defense continues to not be good enough against most of the upper offensive teams in the NBA. Still foul too much and most importantly lack a significant inside defensive presence.

With their team situation, they have to play smarter and harder defensively, and you can't rely mostly on that to be a solid defensive team. A big man inside (defensively) will do wonders for them.

Terrific game so far by Lakers

[KF10]

You guys should be hearing KHTK...Ron Artest is on...I been on about last 30 minutes... It is been on around 1 hour...

[Ballings7]

God, what an absolutely awful loss for Utah!

I was rooting for them to tie it on all those shots.

I would really be down for a little while if I was a Jazz fan....

Very good effort by Utah, but not quite enough in the end. Really should of played better as a whole before the 4th qtr, though.

Lakers got lucky with none of those shots going in, and almost blew a comfartable, sizeable lead. But a win is a win for them, good stuff.

Kobe was just tremendous

[Wolfay]

Sucks to be Utah...

Boston... another game 7... HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I knew all along they would do this. They're a good team, but it ain't that easy.

[KF10]

Artest, Petrie likely to stay
Indications are both will be part of the Kings' near future

The Kings futures of small forward Ron Artest and basketball president Geoff Petrie appear likely to be extended.

Artest, who can control his free-agency fate this summer, indicated via e-mail late Thursday night he's not planning to leave Sacramento. Also Thursday, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said he intends to pick up the 2009-10 contract option for basketball president Geoff Petrie.

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/946277.html

[Ballings7]

Very impressive win by Cleveland, LBJ and their defense, effort was just fantastic once again

Glad because I want to see G7, and Boston will win that

Boston shall lose against Detroit

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Interesting about Ron and Geoff

And that'll be fun with Ron as the sideline man

[Ballings7]

Just watched Celtics/Cavs G7 on tape (without knowing anything)

Very, very good game - had almost everything you can ask for

LBJ/Pierce duel was just a blast all game long - both played at a high-level

LBJ's mistake on that jump-ball with Pierce was pretty key, great hustle by Pierce

PJ Brown stepped up big-time, showing he can still play a significant role on a team. Doing the kind of stuff he's done over his career. And, not that surprising considering how he played with Chicago last season.

I knew Big Baby would be a different player in the playoffs (not relating to today, but other games)...

Eddie House while he didn't do much offensively, his energy and his defense was excellent. He's improved defensively playing on the Celtics in general, too. I didn't know when they signed him, how well he would do defensively, but has been effective from what I've seen. Even with Cassell, I'm surprised House hasn't played much before these last two games, in the post-season. I think Cassell's actually played some too much.

KG wasn't huge, but his presence was there for sure, especially defensively - solid game by him.

Rondo played pretty well, nice little all-around game

I liked how Delonte West played, for the most part

Offensively, Cleveland has to get more versatile... they're a limited, ordinary offensive team. They have had and do have all the role-players already... but one piece is still missing.

They need to get LBJ a legitimate side-kick. And in part to doing that, LeBron has to play off the ball more, so that can also allow for that 2nd guy to play as more than basically just a shooter, cutter, and ball-mover. The role-players are already there to do that. So aside from doing the aformentioned, the #2 option-guy can create for himself and others. It shouldn't and can't just be others playing off of LeBron (for the most part). Firstly, that's relying and asking of too much on one guy, and secondly, in the case of having a good #2 man, that role restricts what that player is able to do. Things have to be easier on LeBron, and he can't be so ball dominant in that way.

[nolimit0820]

I personally believe Sam Cassell is a liability and doc made the right decision to give house the nod. That block on one end and the hustle play to save the loose ball on the other gave me chills, haha. I loved the energy.

I agree ballings, LBJ does need a side-kick of some sort. He has to work too hard to make plays. He does it so well, but it can only take you so far. The problem remains the same for them, they dont have the pieces to trade for a legitimate side kick. They are going to have an interesting offseason and I would be surprised if there were not any major moves made come this summer.

Boston and Detroit, what most expected. Thats going to be a fun series and if Boston makes it out of that one I will be very very impressed. Its going to take the big three all having very good series to win the ECF. Ray Allen is the obvious one that needs to step up. I would take Detroit in 6 tho.

[Ballings7]

Yeah, it's going to be a really fun series

Detroit wins the series in 6 games - 7 a decent possibility

I like Detroit having the edge because of how they match up against Ray Allen, Pierce, KG, and Rondo, and Boston against Billups, Hamilton. Also have a better bench, and I expect Detroit to win at least 1 game in Boston.

[nolimit0820]

Boston does not get to zero in on one player with Detroit. Detroit can hurt you in so many ways, but I did not take into account Chauncey's injury. If he is not healthy, the pistons are in trouble. Boston has got to be worn out. For those who say they are not mentally tough, then this is the perfect time to show the doubters wrong by coming out of this series on top. The match ups are intriguing, especially Sheed and Garnett. Man is that gonna get wild.

I too think Detroit steals one in Boston, very well could be the first. IDK I just do not see Boston ALL OF A SUDDEN winning games on the road, especially against the likes of the battle tested pistons. If they could not win a game in Atlanta or Cleavland, how are they going to do it in d-town? They are going to need to, otherwise a third straight game seven will occur, thats if they protect their home floor.

Game 7 Spurs and Hornets...Gotta be the most anticipated game in the post season thus far

[Ballings7]

I think the match-ups combined with Boston's iffy road play will be what gets them. Billups I'd guess would be at least close to good because Detroit has had quite a bit of rest.

I can't see Spurs/Hornets G7 being another blow-out... that would just shock me. Either side. I hope the Spurs win that.

[SacKingZZZ]

I think the Cavs could really use a player like Brad. He could make LeBrons life so much easier. He could play the pick and pop with LeBron and they could even start running him off screens or get easy backcuts. There was so much one on one going on it started to make my head hurt! All the Celtics had to do was pack the paint, just way too easy for them on the defensive end this whole series.

[pillwenney]

I think the Cavs could really use a player like Brad. He could make LeBrons life so much easier. He could play the pick and pop with LeBron and they could even start running him off screens or get easy backcuts. There was so much one on one going on it started to make my head hurt! All the Celtics had to do was pack the paint, just way too easy for them on the defensive end this whole series.

Ehh, Brad is a better passer than Z, so he would help in that way, but other than that, Z is the better fit for them IMO. And it's not even like Brad is a much better shooter, although I think he does have a little bit more range.

[Ballings7]

Ilgauskas is their Brad, but Z is a better defensive presence, offensive rebounder, and low-post scorer.

What they need is a creative offensive player at PF or at SG. Larry Hughes could of been used better for sure, but he wasn't good enough of a shooter, and was hurt too much.