NBA 2007 Playoffs Round 1

[edczxcvbnm]

Time to make your predictions for the first round. Here are the match ups.

<img src="http://www.geocities.com/weaslemggee/Finals.txt">

My predictions
East:
Detroit
Cleavland
Toronto
Bulls

West:
Dallas
Lakers
Spurs
Rockets

I have not quite decided if the Suns will crush the Lakers yet. Lakers have been streaky as of late but I don't really care for the Suns so I am a bit bias on this one.

I think the Rockets/Jazz serious is going to be real close and down to the wire. Both are good teams but the Rockets have been strong down the stretch while the Jazz are not as strong as they were earlier on. I think this will be an interesting match up.

EDIT: I picked the Rockets and Lakers to win their series. I am a Lakers fan and a Suns hater so I just gave into my extreme bias on that one.

EDITA: I added that picture instead of the text bracket. I will update it when I feel like it. It is just a screen shot from the NBA's website.

[bipper]

GOE TWOLVES!

[Del Murder]

I hope GS wins at leat one game. The Warriors are the only team Dallas didn't beat this year. 0-3. :) I'm sure KB will come in and show how the refs screwed them out of both of those games (the last one was obviously a freebie), but that's expected.

All the top seeds in the East should win. Man, how meaningless is that Toronto vs. NJ series? Does anyone even think either of those teams has a remote chance of going to the finals?

The first round should not take 2 weeks, yet it will. NBA playoff structure sucks.

[Kirobaito]

The first game between the Warriors and Mavs was game 3 of the Mavs 0-4 start to the season. The last one didn't mean anything. The middle one capped off a 17-game winning streak on the second night of a back-to-back. A letdown was due.

I imagine the Warriors will win game 3 at home.

Toronto is actually pretty good. They finished up 40-19, which is the 4th best finish, behind the Big 3 in the west. The only thing they lack is experience, but they could go to the East Finals. It sucks not having Bargnani or Garbajosa, but they're pretty good.

My picks:

Dallas over Golden State in 5 - GS will win game 3 at home on pure adrenaline. But lack of size will eventually hurt them.
Phoenix over LA in 7 - I wouldn't expect to see a series much different than last year. LA is finally healthy.
SA over Denver in 6 - As good as Denver is playing, SA is also playing well. And the Spurs always turn it up in the playoffs.
Houston over Utah in 6 - Utah has collapsed down the stretch. Houston is playing well.

Detroit over Orlando in 4 - A big mismatch. I love Dwight as much as anybody, but the Pistons will fry them.
Cleveland over Washington in 5 - I feel so sorry for Washington. Losing your two best players hurts.
Toronto over New Jersey in 6 - Big playoff series win for Chris Bosh and co.
Chicago and Miami in 6 - The Heat suck. Chicago is good.

[El Bandito]

Well, I'm cheering for Denver because they're my home team and I really want to see Melo match his peers from the '03 draft and get past the first round of the playoffs (ditto to Bosh). If I really had to bet however, I think I'd pick every single higher seed this round.


Man, how meaningless is that Toronto vs. NJ series? Does anyone even think either of those teams has a remote chance of going to the finals?

How Relevant? Perhaps you've heard of this basketball player named Vincent Carter? I believe he used to be the face of a certain franchise until he was finally traded in 2004 for a group of players and two future first round picks. Though they struggled the next year those picks eventually became Charlie Villanueva (which got TJ Ford by trade) and Andrea Bargnani. Not to mention a very talented young man from that '03 class I previously mentioned that is starting to become a new Kevin Garnett. Now they're on route to the playoffs with a very young, but very talented team.

Meanwhile, ol' Vinsanity hasn't been slacking off and although his team is definitely playing way under what their individual talents should produce, he's made the playoffs now with them for the third year in a row. How do you think Toronto fans felt watching him put up those numbers in a different uniform while their team struggled in mediocrity?

Can you imagine the crowds that will fill the Air Canada Center cheering on their young Raptors to beat the snot out of the Nets in playoffs? Sure I don't think either will hang with the Pistons, Heat, or even the Bulls, but they're so young and it's their first playoffs, you never know what could happen. They could turn a whole lot of heads this year. Them and Houston are my big choices of possible spoilers this playoffs.

[Del Murder]

GSW Hoops baby! The Mavs will probably still win this series, but the Warriors really have their number. I predicted (not in this thread) that the Warriors would win 2 games, Game 1 and one of their home games. It's coming true so far.

Even more exciting than the Warriors' first playoff win in 15 years will be KB's follow up post. There is nothing, <i>nothing</i>, more entertaining than Texas after a Mavs loss.

[edczxcvbnm]

If only the Lakers had won yesterday we could have had all the bottom seeds in the west winning game 1 which would have been bizzarly humorous XD

I am not too surprised that the nuggets beat the Spurs. I figured it would be a close series but I still think the Spurs will be able to pull away.

[Spawn of Sephiroth]

All I gots to say is go Lakers, kick ass!!!!!!!

[Strider]

So wait, if the Warriors win Game 2 as well, does KB start going into rabid convulsions? Stay tuned!

[Tempest]

East:

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic - I don't know much about either of these teams except that the Pistons are a great team. Going with the Pistons on this one.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards - If the Wizards weren't missing two of their best players, I'd go with them. Since they are, I'm gonna have to go with the Cavs. It's a miracle the Wizards even managed to make it to the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets - While the Raptors are a very good team, I don't think they'll win this series. They're still young so I don't think they'll be able to go through and win 4 games against the Nets.

Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls - Even though I'm disappointed the Bulls didn't get 50 wins this season, I'm glad they ended up with this match. The Bulls with CRUSH THE HEAT!!! Payback for last year, baby! :cool: The Bulls humiliated the Heat on ring night with a 42 point win I believe plus, they won the series 3 out of 4. So, no contest!


West:

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors - If I didn't hear that the Warriors won the series 4-0 against the Mavs and if the Mavs won last night, I would say the Mavs would wins this series, no problem. They did not look good against the Warriors last night, so I'm going to have to say that GS will win this.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers - I would prefer the Lakers to win only because of Phil Jackson but, the Suns will most likely win this.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets - Again, I don't know much about these two teams but, I'm going with the Nuggets since they're the underdogs in the series.

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets - Houston Rockets! I don't like the Jazz.

[Kirobaito]

I am not happy with Avery right now. The Mavs won 67 games this season with a center. Gana Diop was outstanding during his time on the court, and Damp gets 3 rebounds in 2 minutes. Normally, the Mavs can adjust to how their opponent is playing because they do what their opponent does best at better than the opponent does. But not with Golden State. Play big, and massacre them.

The Mavs didn't do what they needed to do to win. I expect that they will, eventually, but damn, it's frustrating to watch them not do it against such a mediocre team.

[Tempest]

I am not happy with Avery right now. The Mavs won 67 games this season with a center. Gana Diop was outstanding during his time on the court, and Damp gets 3 rebounds in 2 minutes. Normally, the Mavs can adjust to how their opponent is playing because they do what their opponent does best at better than the opponent does. But not with Golden State. Play big, and massacre them.

The Mavs didn't do what they needed to do to win. I expect that they will, eventually, but damn, it's frustrating to watch them not do it against such a mediocre team.

I know the feeling. It's what I felt when the Bulls lost big against the Grizzlies. If they would of won the game they were supposed to, they'd have 50! I hope the Mavs do end up winning. If any team deserves it, they do. 67-15 is impressive!

[edczxcvbnm]

I know the feeling. It's what I felt when the Bulls lost big against the Grizzlies. If they would of won the game they were supposed to, they'd have 50! I hope the Mavs do end up winning. If any team deserves it, they do. 67-15 is impressive!

The Bulls should have won a lot of games they lost but the just shut down for about 4-6 minutes every game and blow a big lead. I think the Bulls are actually first in the league when it comes to blowing double digit leads.

The Bulls may lead the Heat 3-4 during the regular season but I don't think they ever played them at full strength. I know the first game in Chicago(I was at this one) Shaq was out on injury from the start and Wade was out on injury after about six minutes of play.

That is just one game but Shaq was slow to come back and then as soon as he is back Wade gets injured. Wade isn't 100% but he has always had problems against Chicago(great defense by players like Hinrich and Thabo).

[Del Murder]

So wait, if the Warriors win Game 2 as well, does KB start going into rabid convulsions? Stay tuned!
I sincerely hope Dallas wins Game 2 because I care more about that poor boy's health than I do some silly basketball game. I shudder to think what would happen.

[Bloodline666]

Even after the whole thing last season with San Antonio getting the top seed and Dallas getting the 4 seed, despite both teams finishing in the top two of the Western Conference, Denver barely even making the playoffs simply by winning a weak division, Clips getting homecourt over Denver by virtue of a better record despite the lower seed, and Dallas getting home court over Phoenix for that same reason, and the seeding format changes that followed, I think the current playoff format is STILL screwed up; apparently, it still failed to address the fact that lower seeds can still get home court over higher seeds, as seen with both instances of a 4 seed vs. 5 seed series. To me, that's just screwed up.

Anywho, here's my predictions:

Detroit/Orlando: Detroit. I don't see any way the Magic stand a chance against the Pistons...unless of course Rasheed gets a technical during crunch time.

Miami/Chicago: This one looks like it might go to at least game 6, but I'm gonna have to say Chicago, because in the post-season, Shaq has choked against Ben Wallace until last season. If Ben Wallace can guard Shaq without having to resort to "Hack-a-Shaq" (which is notorious for backfiring), Chicago should advance. And they've got a good young team that should take them far in the playoffs in the near future.

New Jersey/Toronto: I'm probably gonna have to say Toronto, based on Vince Carter's performance against the Raps in Game 1, but if VC's teammates can pick up the slack like they did in Game 1, Toronto has no chance.

Cleveland/Washington: Probably Cleveland; just a gut feeling, that's all. I have to admit, that shootout between LeBron and Arenas from last year's playoff series between the two teams was certainly a classic.

Dallas/Golden State: Definitely Dallas. There is a reason Dallas is better with the Little General than they were with Don Nelson, and that's because Don Nelson did not care about playing defense, and focused solely on offense. Nelson's now the opposing head coach of the Mavs. One would say that he knows the Mavs in and out, when the reality is, the Mavs are a totally different team now than they were when Nelson was coaching them. In fact, Nelson is so horrible at coaching defense that it was he who invented "Hack-a-Shaq", by first applying its use against Dennis Rodman.

Utah/Houston: Hmm...tough one to predict. I'll have to go with Houston.

San Antonio/Denver: Despite their Game 1 loss, I still have to pick San Antonio. If recent history is any indicator, any time the Spurs struggle in the opening round of the playoffs, they have the mental toughness to pull through in the end, and that's what won them their last two NBA titles in the last 4 years. But I think their future looks kinda blurry. I'm not sure if they're gonna bounce back from their elimination last year and win more Championships (which is what they did when the got eliminated by the Lakers 2 straight times, and what they did after Derek Fisher's 0.4 second shot), or if age is starting to take its toll on them.

Phoenix/Lakers: I have to say Phoenix on this one. The Suns simply have deadlier scoring weapons, and Steve Nash uses them with tremendous efficiency. The only way for the Lakers to beat the Suns is if they stop slacking off on offense (all they ever really do on that side is hand the ball to Kobe and watch him shoot), if Kobe starts making better shot selections, giving the ball to someone else if he can't, and if the Lakers' D shuts down Nash's teammates, thus forcing Nash to take a good chunk of the shots. That formula got the Lakers a 3-1 lead in the series last season, but they went away from that formula, and thus, we saw the typical Lakers against the typical Suns, with typical results.

[edczxcvbnm]

Now that home court is shifting both the Jazz and Lakers have won. This makes things more interesting at least.

Orlando still lost but this is no surprise.

[Proxy]

I refuse to watch basketball, due to the lack of skill it requires.
"lookit me, I can bounce a ball, and shoot it into a wire hoop with mesh hanging from it, pay me $4,853,782,568,235 every 5 years please."

[Del Murder]

Uh, it takes great agility and stamina to do the things they do.

[edczxcvbnm]

I refuse to watch basketball, due to the lack of skill it requires.
"lookit me, I can bounce a ball, and shoot it into a wire hoop with mesh hanging from it, pay me $4,853,782,568,235 every 5 years please."

The same could be applied to most sports. Lets just replace some stuff.

Baseball

"lookit me, I can hit a ball, and run 270 feet around a bunch bags on the ground, pay me $4,853,782,568,235 every 5 years please."

Hockey

"lookit me, I can dribble a puck, and shoot it into a wire goal with with a fat ass in front of it, pay me $4,853,782,568,235 every 5 years please."

Soccer

"lookit me, I can dribble a ball, and shoot it into a wire goal that is 435068 feet wide with with a small guy guarding it and still only score 1 goal per game as a team, pay me $4,853,782,568,235 every 5 years please."

I could keep going with every sport but this is getting pretty sad...but funny :D

[Del Murder]

Don't forget bowling!

[Kirobaito]

Basketball is about the last sport that you'd say doesn't require skill.

More like "I can bounce a ball while running full speed without bouncing it off my foot, around other people, and then take the ball and shoot it off my palms and fingertips far into the air and through an 18-inch diameter hoop."

Basketball is the most skillful sport in the world.

[Del Murder]

Nah, gymnastics is, but bball is up there.

[Bloodline666]

Looks like Orlando is going to regret ever having traded with Detroit. This playoff matchup proves who benefitted a lot more.

And Proxy, if you don't mind me asking, if you're not going to even discuss the playoffs, then why did you even bother to post here?

[Shadow8017]

East:

Detroit
Cleveland
Chicago
Toronto

West:
Houston
Golden State
San Antonio
Phoenix

....GO WARRIORS!!

[Del Murder]

Man, talk about one of your best 1 vs. 8 series ever.

My prediction still holds. The Warriors will either go on to win this game or win the next game, but Dallas is just the better team. Those yellow shirts that say 'we believe' is inspiring, though.

[El Bandito]

If the Warriors win both at home, I think they could pull the upset at home again in game 6. Otherwise, I don't see them winning in Dallas again.

Also, goddamn am I impressed with Chicago. Should be a fun series with the Pistons (the Heat are done).

[Bloodline666]

Man, talk about one of your best 1 vs. 8 series ever.

My prediction still holds. The Warriors will either go on to win this game or win the next game, but Dallas is just the better team. Those yellow shirts that say 'we believe' is inspiring, though.

Historically, 8-seeds have almost ALWAYS been first-round exits. Only TWICE in NBA history has an 8-seed advanced to at least the Conference Semi-Finals (in laymans terms, only twice has an 8-seed eliminated a 1-seed); the 8-seeded Denver Nuggets knocked out the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in 1994; the Nuggets would be eliminated the next round, and in the lockout-shortened season in 1999, when the 8-seeded New York Knicks eliminated the top-seeded Miami Heat; the Knicks fared better that year, as they went all the way to the NBA Finals, despite an injury to Patrick Ewing, only to come up short against the San Antonio Spurs. Both instances happened when the first round of the playoffs was a best-of-five series. The Warriors could become the third 8-seeded team to advance past the first round.

[Kirobaito]

Worst defending "champion" ever.

[Arc_Master_14]

COME ON WARRIORS!!!! I GET TO SEE EM TONIGHT PWN!

[Tempest]

I love the Bulls. :jess:

[Bloodline666]

Looks like nobody's gonna have to worry about having to use Hack-a-Shaq the rest of the postseason. They'll instead have to worry about Hack-a-Ben (which is just as prone to backfiring as Hack-a-Shaq).

[Del Murder]

Wow. They can actually do it. Can the Mavs beat them 3 in a row? Most certainly. Can the Mavs beat them 3 in a row the way they've been playing? Hells no.

GS needs to just keep doing what they are doing. They need to keep that underdog mentality going. It's been working.

[Kirobaito]

Wow. They can actually do it. Can the Mavs beat them 3 in a row? Most certainly. Can the Mavs beat them 3 in a row the way they've been playing? Hells no.

GS needs to just keep doing what they are doing. They need to keep that underdog mentality going. It's been working.
I doubt players with egos like Jackson and Davis will continue believing the underdog bs that Nellie is feeding them.

The Mavs had this game won with 4 minutes to go, and gave it away. They didn't get back on defense and settled for jump shots. I guess it is encouraging that they found something that would allow them to get up by the 6-8 they did before imploding.

[El Bandito]

The Mavs have absolutely no answer for Baron Davis. Traps didn't work, double teams didn't work, he just continued driving to the paint.

My old prediction still stands. I see Golden State taking it Game 6 at home in front of an absolutely chaotic Oracle Arena crowd.

[edczxcvbnm]

Things are looking grim for Dallas right now as everyone has said. I wonder what Mark Cuban will do if the Mavs lose in the first round. New coach? Big trades? I doubt he is going to take the lose with grace given the season they had.

Also who would have thought the Bulls would actually sweep Miami? Being a Bulls fan I have to say that I was not super impressed with their play in Miami. They are going to have to step it up a notch to take on Detroit in the next round. I wonder what Detroit is thinking about the Bulls right now since they swept a decent opponent where as they played the lowest seed. I wonder how prepared they are going to be when it comes to game 1 in Detroit.

[Strider]

Oh, KB.

I've never been a terribly huge NBA fan, but this Warriors-Mavericks tilt has caught my attention. You've got to give Stephen Jackson some credit for rewarding Don Nelson's faith in him, and take notice that this is the team the Warriors probably could've been all season had they stayed healthy. Baron missed some time with injuries, as did Jason Richardson, but they put it all together at the right time and Dallas has taken a beating as a result.

[Bloodline666]

I love the Bulls. :jess:

I've got two words for ya:

http://www.babble-on-recording.com/babble_blog/files/0_blog_entry1868_1.jpg

[Del Murder]

It seems like the Mavs started this game realizing they are the better team, then forgot it for a while, only to remember it again in the last 3 minutes. Talk about your close shaves.

If either of those three pointers by Dirk didn't go in it would be good-bye.

[Kirobaito]

It seems like the Mavs started this game realizing they are the better team, then forgot it for a while, only to remember it again in the last 3 minutes. Talk about your close shaves.

If either of those three pointers by Dirk didn't go in it would be good-bye.
And if the bazillion three pointers by the Warriors in this series didn't go in, then the Mavs would have already won this series.

But they did go in. Thus, it is 3-2.

[Del Murder]

Okay. A bunch of three pointers of the warriors don't go in -> GS loses the series.

ONE three pointer from Dirk doesn't go in -> Dallas loses the series.

The Warriors are only shooting .308 on threes, according to NBA.com. They should have been making more if anything!

Of course, Dallas is at .267, but that's because of that <i>blistering</i> Warrior D.

[PeTeRL90]

It certainly has indeed been a good series considering that the Warriors literally had to win every one of their last games to get in, and I believe they won 10 out of 11 before the playoffs started, so it's not really a surprise to see them win a couple of games, but I never thought they would have a chance to actually eliminate the Mavs.

If the Warriors are able to close out this series, I think it'd be a real good treat for the fans of Golden State that they do it at home. Of course, it's better if you knock out an opponent as soon as you can before they can get hot (Lakers/Suns from last year point me to that), but a team that hasn't been in the playoffs for 13 years, on the brink of knocking off a 67 win team in Dallas at home, the fans are going to be going crazy there.

And like I said months ago to you KB, if Dallas doesn't win the championship, considering the excellent season they had, it's going to be a failed year. I normally don't say things like that, but after what the Mavericks did, I think it's a good time to say that.

[Raistlin]

Of course, Dallas is at .267, but that's because of that <i>blistering</i> Warrior D.

xD

The Mavs just seem to be out of their game at times, and the Warriors are fighting. I like Dallas a lot, but I also love the underdog victories, and this would be a huge one. I'm so torn.

[Kirobaito]

Okay. A bunch of three pointers of the warriors don't go in -> GS loses the series.

ONE three pointer from Dirk doesn't go in -> Dallas loses the series.

The Warriors are only shooting .308 on threes, according to NBA.com. They should have been making more if anything!

Of course, Dallas is at .267, but that's because of that <i>blistering</i> Warrior D.
I'd say it's two things:

1) Dallas has played awfully for most of this series.

2) Playing 5 guys 6'4"-6'8" will make you quicker... making it a heck of a lot easier to close out on guys on long shots. What the Warriors lack is any kind of interior defense. Their perimeter defense is, really, just fine, if not pretty good. Particularly against a team like the Mavericks, which plays so traditionally.

[Bloodline666]

Well, the Mavs are lucky they avoided the big fishing boat that already carries the Heat, Wizards, and Magic, as are the Raptors. If the Raps lose this series, they'll probably regret having traded Vince Carter, just like the Magic are right now regretting having ever traded with the Pistons.

If the Warriors do win this series, then whoever wins the Jazz/Rockets series will be in the Western Conference Finals, because the only team the Warriors even seem to be a match for is the Mavs.

[Raistlin]

I'd say it's two things:

1) Dallas has played awfully for most of this series.

2) Playing 5 guys 6'4"-6'8" will make you quicker... making it a heck of a lot easier to close out on guys on long shots. What the Warriors lack is any kind of interior defense. Their perimeter defense is, really, just fine, if not pretty good. Particularly against a team like the Mavericks, which plays so traditionally.

According to NBA.com, GS was 19th in the league in opponent FG%, 24th in the league in opponent 3PT%, and dead last in opponent points-per-game. <i>Blistering</i> perimeter D.

[Del Murder]

Tenacious even.

[Bloodline666]

I can guess right now at this very moment, Gregg Popovich's coaching staff is probably watching the Suns/Lakers game to grab game film on the Suns to prepare for the next round. I think it'll be interesting to see if the Spurs can wipe out the Suns this year the way they did two years ago. And I'm already declaring that a Conference Semifinals series early, because the Lakers simply have no hope to win this game, let alone the series.

[Kirobaito]

I will be very disappointed in the NBA if Richardson plays again during this series. If DJ Mbenga is suspended 5 or 6 for simply going into the stands to help his coach's wife, then Richardson should certainly be gone far more for pushing or punching a fan and cursing him.



Witness: Warriors' Richardson punched fan in chest
By ART GARCIA
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Jason Richardson punched a Mavericks fan in the chest late in Game 5, according to a season ticket-holder who says he witnessed the incident Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.

Brett Landes of Dallas was sitting about two feet away when Richardson fell into the stands after missing a 3-pointer with about 30 seconds left in the Mavs' 118-112 win.

“I was there when it happened,” Landes recounted. “I know security asked the guy who was accosted to leave and spoke to him about the incident.

“Jason fell into the second row after chasing a ball and was caught by the guy in the second row. Jason then slapped his hand away and said, ‘Keep your [expletive] hands off me.’ When the guy said something back, J-Rich punched him in the chest and said, ‘I will whip or kick your [expletive].’ Then it was over.”

Landes said Richardson used a closed fist and categorized the punch as “emphatic.” Landes didn’t know what the fan said to Richardson before the alleged punch, but according to Mavs security officials who reviewed tape of the incident, an unidentified fan is seen pushing richardson before the alleged punch.

The league began investigating the incident immediately after the game. If the NBA decides to take action against Richardson, it will be announced today, according to a league official.

EDIT: And he's fined, 35k. What a copout by the league. He admits to assaulting a fan, and somehow that doesn't warrant a suspension. Ridiculous.

[Bloodline666]

I am neither criticizing nor supporting the action taken against Richardson (or lack thereof, given the fact that the punishment was a slap on the wrist), but I think action should be taken against the fan, as well; probably getting his season tickets revoked. According to that very source of information, that same fan pushed Richardson before the alleged punch happened; such was even confirmed by Mavs security officials. Of course, any time I see fans and players going at it in the stands, regardless of how minor it is, I am reminded of that Detroit brawl. The fans who were involved in that, including the guy who threw that cup at Ron Artest, had their season tickets revoked and were banned from the Palace of Auburn Hills for life.

[Del Murder]

Haha, you always dig up something, don't you?

This should be a game for the ages!

[Raistlin]

I will be very disappointed in the NBA if Richardson plays again during this series. If DJ Mbenga is suspended 5 or 6 for simply going into the stands to help his coach's wife, then Richardson should certainly be gone far more for pushing or punching a fan and cursing him.

EDIT: And he's fined, 35k. What a copout by the league. He admits to assaulting a fan, and somehow that doesn't warrant a suspension. Ridiculous.

Richardson admitted to the assault? Where? That article gave no mention of proof Richardson actually punched the fan, only one witness. If this was on a Dallas player you'd be praising the lighter punishment due to lack of apparent evidence.

[Kirobaito]

I will be very disappointed in the NBA if Richardson plays again during this series. If DJ Mbenga is suspended 5 or 6 for simply going into the stands to help his coach's wife, then Richardson should certainly be gone far more for pushing or punching a fan and cursing him.

EDIT: And he's fined, 35k. What a copout by the league. He admits to assaulting a fan, and somehow that doesn't warrant a suspension. Ridiculous.

Richardson admitted to the assault? Where? That article gave no mention of proof Richardson actually punched the fan, only one witness. If this was on a Dallas player you'd be praising the lighter punishment due to lack of apparent evidence.
War of words - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqBKmpu59Kv9BCyQfADFb4.8vLYF?slug=aw-warriorsmavs050207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

"I can't remember (what he said) in the heat of the moment," Richardson said of the fan. "All I know is that I pushed him back, trying to see who he was. But it's over."

Sounds like an admission to me.

[Raistlin]

... did you even read what you quoted?

EDIT: Dallas sure is lucky their 3's are falling this game. I think they're 5 for 7 so far for their only 15 points. And Stackhouse is 3-3 for most of those. Wow, that's some shooting.

[Del Murder]

Well, there goes Davis, and the hopes for the Warriors.

The bright side of this is even if Dallas wins they will always know that they couldn't beat the 8th seed Warriors full strength. No matter what else they do in these playoffs that will always hang over their head, and what this team will be known for.

[Kirobaito]

... did you even read what you quoted?

EDIT: Dallas sure is lucky their 3's are falling this game. I think they're 5 for 7 so far for their only 15 points. And Stackhouse is 3-3 for most of those. Wow, that's some shooting.
If anyone is lucky, it's Davis firing up these POS shots that continue to go in. The guy is a 30% three-point shooter, and he's at about 60% this series.

[El Bandito]

I don't get why everyone is acting like Baron Davis came out of nowhere. He was drafted 3rd overall in 1999. When he hasn't been injured, he's been a solid force for the team he's been on.

And please, near 30 PPG in a series against a team with a near record-breaking regular season is anything but "lucky".

[Bloodline666]

What were the Mavs THINKING when they tried the Hack-a-Biedrins?

It doesn't matter if it's Hack-a-Shaq, Hack-a-Ben, Hack-a-Bowen, or Hack-a-Biedrins...if you intentionally foul the opposition's statistically worst free throw shooter away from the ball when you're in the penalty, 9 times out of 10, it's gonna backfire! Which is somewhat ironic, since the Mavs not only were the first team to use it, but are using it against a team coached by its inventor, Don Nelson!

[Del Murder]

Not to mention this is the best team in the NBA trying a desparate move...wow I just have to say.

I wonder if the Warriors have any chance against their next opponent.

Also KB, I apologize for my previous posts. I didn't really mean them, I was just trying to get you riled up. I never thought it would be like this. I hope you are in a safe place tonight with family or friends.

[Raistlin]

Well, there goes Davis, and the hopes for the Warriors.

End of the third quarter, GS leading by 23. Of course, Davis came back.

[edczxcvbnm]

Well it is the end of the third and the score is 86 to 63 Golden State.

Unless Golden State sleeps through this quarter they should easily finish this game. I gotta admit I am curious to see how they fair in the next round.

Edit: Looking at the stats...holy :skull::skull::skull::skull:. GS is shooting 60% from 3 point land and that doesn't include that late 40-50 footer at the end of the first. 9 Steals and 40 boards in comparison to the Mavs which have 4 steals and 32 boards. Dallas is just being out played. For a team that won 67 games during the regular season they should look like garbage.

[Bloodline666]

Dallas had better step it up NOW if they don't want to get sent fishin' this early.

Twelve minutes (game time) and counting...

[Raistlin]

Well it is the end of the third and the score is 86 to 63 Golden State.

Unless Golden State sleeps through this quarter they should easily finish this game. I gotta admit I am curious to see how they fair in the next round.

How many times have 20-point leads disappeared in less than a quarter this series?

[edczxcvbnm]

How many times have 20-point leads disappeared in less than a quarter this series?

I don't know. It isn't like this is the Bulls where gaining and blowing 20 point leads happens every other night.

[Raistlin]

Well 24 point lead for GS with less than 3:30 to go. This one's over. Bye bye, Dallas.

Wow.

[Del Murder]

WE BELIEVE

[edczxcvbnm]

Going into this series I thought it would be interesting but I still thought Dallas would pull it out but damn did they look sorry. If there ever was a Season that was a failure this is it. Finals the previous year. #1 seed this year. 67 wins. First round ejection. Ouch.

I wonder what changes they will make in the off season or what Cuban will do because of this.

[Bloodline666]

Dirk Nowitzki, Avery Johnson, Mark Cuban, and Jerry Stackhouse are joining Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and Jerry Jones in the next episode of...

GONE FISHIN'!

(the irony of it is that this post is coming from a Cowboys fan, so I hope you weren't offended by that, KB)

[PeTeRL90]

If the Warriors play the Jazz, I think they have a good shot of winning that series as well.

I don't think they can beat the Rockets, though.

[Arc_Master_14]

LOOK AT THIS 108 -83 when I typed this GO GS!!

[Del Murder]

Dallas lost 15 games ALL SEASON. 3 against GS.

That's 1-7 against the Warriors. 67-12 versus the entire rest of the NBA. Astonishing.

[Raistlin]

Yeah, GS has had Dallas's number the entire year. Good ol' Nelly. I would still bet for Dallas to beat any other team in the league in a 7-game series. They just got the bad luck of facing the one team they just can't beat. Of course, it was still their own failure to be unable to beat a team that isn't good (one of the worst defensive teams in the league during the regular season).

I'll be amused to watch GS if they get sweeped in the next round. The Mavs will only be able to scratch their heads for the long summer.

[edczxcvbnm]

The Warriors are going to need the rest until Monday just to heal up from this series. Jazz and Rockets still have one to go so GS should be more rested for the next series. I can't wait to see what they do.

This has got to be one of the most exciting playoff series in the past 7 or 8 years.

[Bloodline666]

Well, one of my predictions of who's gonna be on the Gone Fishin' pick was right. I just spotted T.O. in the water (his last appearance on a Gone Fishin' pic was when the Sixers got knocked out in 2005).

[El Bandito]

If the Warriors play the Jazz, I think they have a good shot of winning that series as well.

I don't think they can beat the Rockets, though.

I think you have it backwards. The key to beating the Warriors is to take it inside with power players, but still keep up with their speed. The Jazz have a great lineup to do just that. Players like Boozer and Okur are real good at quickly driving into the paint and getting dunks/layups/short jumpers. On the other end, they have the speed to keep up with the Warriors' uptempo offense.

The Rockets, however, are just too slow to keep up with the Warriors. Sure, Yao is a great inside presence, but he's also one of the slowest players in the NBA. I fully expect all of Golden State to run circles around him and then shut down McGrady with the double team just like they did Dirk. I love the Rockets, but it's not a good matchup on paper.

Jesus, can you imagine if Dirk wins the MVP now? Where will the ceremony be? His house?

Also, imagine if the Western finals are the Suns vs. the Warriors. I can see at least two of the games going 125+ points each team.

[Del Murder]

Utah is too big for the Warriors. I agree with Bandito.