You don't remember that series? We went down 0-3, then Mo started ZBo, and Zach beasted from then on. 25/15 in game 4 22/9 in game 5 21/10 in game 6 14/10 in game 7
Was at that game. The crowd during that 3rd quarter run was the loudest I've ever heard at the Rose Garden. The entire crowd was on their feet for the whole 3rd quarter. So was Sabonis (PER = 32.0 for the series). He was hurt and and played limited minutes in the first five games, and sat out game 4 all together. But, in game 6 he went 7-8 from the field and had 16 points and 8 rebounds in only 12 minutes. In game 7, Sabonis was the only one that kept the Blazers in the game in the first half when Sheed and Bonzi didn't show up ready to play (I think the two of them combined for 2 first half points). Sabonis could barely walk, but he still had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 3 blocks before he fouled out. Sheed and Bonzi played better in the second half, but it was way too little and way too late. Nick Van Exel just TOTALLY killed us. We were already in a hole at half time and with Van Exel shooting lights out in the 4th quarter, here was no way to come back and win that game. BNM
Both NVE and Dirk hit some daggers in that 4th quarter. Those shots they hit seriously are etched into my memory. So is Brandon. Dallas can't play better defenders like Stevenson or Brewer for too long because they desperately need Terry/Barea's offense, and Roy can just take those two to the woodshed in the post. I think the wildcard here will be Beaubois.
Ha ha! Isn't that Michael Dunleavy Jr. in the green vest at the 0.32 mark? He looks like he's about 13. Hard to believe he just finished his 9th season in the NBA. BNM
Mike & Mike were talking about how Beaubois went down with an injury tonight. Not sure of the severity. edit - http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...s-leaves-game-with-injury-does-not-return.ece
Sacto is terrible, but that Anaheim arena is in an even worse location. There is nothing by it, other than a few hotels and old, ranch-style houses.
That still doesn't put it anywhere in Sacto's neighborhood. We drive by Sacto to Tahoe and won't even stop there to piss.
Um, OK. I'm not arguing Sacto over Anaheim. I'm just pointing out that the Anaheim arena is basically like Sacto, but not in LA, but rather OC, which is basically Sacto outside of the beach communities.
Isn't this EXACTLY why you guys got Gerald Wallace? Hes perfect to guard Dirk and you've been playing him at the 4, no? Between him, Batum, Aldridge and maybe even Camby you should have plenty of options but GW seems like about as good an option as you can find in the league. He should make a call to his old buddy Stephen Jackson for a scouting report. Jack was the primary defender on Dirk in that Warriors upset a few years ago where Dirk shot 38% for the series. Jack's got all of Nellie's secrets for stopping him and he and GW are both 6'7 with 7'0 wingspans. IMO you match up way better with Dallas than LAL. I know you guys had the war cries going calling for LA's blood but they would have crushed you easily. They're getting weaker and Bynum-less but still clearly get the 8-on-5 basketball advantage and IMO you can neutralize Dirk better than you can Kobe. Who scares you on Dallas after Dirk? Jason Terry? Even if you do a good job on Kobe, LAL hasa legit second star in Pau. Kidd is nice but not a threat to explode scoring the ball. Lakers can really D up when they want to (again, 8 on 5 helps but even without that they're capable of flipping the switch pretty well). Carlisle can preach as much as he wants but they're limited with Dirk/Terry/Barea/old man Kidd as key rotation pieces. The fear for Dirk and lack of respect for a guy like Duncan on this forum is laughable. Miller-JKidd is a pretty even matchup at this point. Could be interesting seeing the big G/Fs of PDX vs. Beaubois/Terry/Barea but I think you'll be more than ok in that respect. Chandler is good but hes not a lock down one on one defender and obviously Dirk is useless on defense so it oughta be interesting to see how effective Aldridge is. Dallas has very good depth but I get the sneaking suspicion your Roy/Batum/Camby bench trio will steal the show at least once in this series. Dallas is deeper but your 6/7/8th men are better
I would beg to differ. In fact, why the hell would L.A. play all their starters for last night's game? Don't you think the Lakers really didn't want to face Portland in the playoffs. Not maybe because they fear us, but more importantly, they think Portland is the one team in the West that has the best chance to upset their opponent. Even if the Lakers won that series, it would definitely not be "crushing us" like you suggested.
Well if its a choice of PDX or NO obviously they're going for NO. I'd wager that getting home court advantage for the second round against the Mavs was just as important. You can take that as the Lakers shaking in their boots about the Blazers. I'll interpret it as LA can really steamroll NO with less effort than they could PDX. Doubt either series would go past game 5 but regardless of length of the series NO is easier for LA and in the long run to an NBA championship its a big advantage if one team went to two or three extremely tough 6/7 game series and the other had only one really difficult series. Chi and Miami have easy first round draws but its hard to see any team running away with the ECF. It'll probably be pretty brutal for Mia/Chi/Bos/NY/Orl to get out of the east. LAL knows this. They're just posturing for better advantages to win a ring. Its a bit of a compliment that they'd prefer not to play you but its just as much of a commentary on how the competition drops of from you to NO and having HCA against the Mavs could shorten that series and give them a bit more of an edge in the WCF and Finals. If they can buy extra rest time, fewer minutes for key players, avoid grinding physical play and long series over the course of three series to get to the finals it could be a noticeable advantage in the finals.
Never said that the Lakers are "shaking in their boots" in facing the Blazers. I am arguing that the Lakers would simply "crush the Blazers" like you mentioned. I think one main reason isn't that the Lakers fear they would lose a series to the Blazers; but more of the physical nature of that series. It would be filled with Portland coming out and playing their hearts to beat their big brother. Give the emotional edge to the Blazers. That alone is one reason why the Lakers wouldn't want to face the Blazers in the first round. The second is possible injuries. I know, like probably everyone in this forum, that the Lakers will steam roll over the depleted NOH. They probably can rest their starters or at least reduce their minutes to ready for the second round. Also, having Portland face Dallas could net a Portland win; since the match-ups are more favorable for an upset. If that was the case, then L.A. would face the 6th seed instead of 3rd. I just didn't like your commentary of "Lakers crushing the Blazers". I think anyone on the Laker's brass would disagree.
In that case then I think we're pretty much on the same page. You might get a crack at them in the second round though.
We lose that series. I think the only chance a team can upset the Lakers is in the first round. It will be too hard for the Blazers to gruel out a long series with Dallas; while Lakers sweep the NOH.
