If the Lakers don't win it, I definitely think it'll be the Spurs. The Kings haven't been playing good lately, and even if they did play their best ball I don't think they could beat the Spurs. As for the Wolves, they've had a great season but I honestly don't even EXPECT them to even beat the Kings, though I wouldn't be surprised if they did. I feel the Spurs match up very well against both the Wolves and Kings, because they don't have any answer for Tim Duncan. Though I still count on my Lakers to take it all, I definitely think this Lakers - Spurs series will be the series to determine the 2004 NBA Champions.
If not the Lakers (that wont happen) than I hope the Nets or the TWolves will win it. They worked so hard the last couple of years and those players deserve it. Players like KG and Kidd. Especially KG, that man is incredible and I'm always on the edge of my seat when i see him play. There are enough reasons why not the Queens for me: 1 they always cry when the loose against the Lakers (as said before) 2 I hate Divac with his flops. In Europe we call them schwalbe(german word) cause the germans do it all the time in soccer 3 I cant stand seeing Rick Adelman. I dont know what it is but I hate that man. About the Spurs. Its not that I hate them but I cant stand it that they beat the Lakers everytime. Their game is not boring (to me it isnt). Tony Parker is great to watch and Gino is a amazing player. Ok TD sometimes gets a bit boring but still a great player. Also not the Pistons cause to me thats a boring team to watch. Too much D.
i think the Lakers will win but if not my second choice would be Sacramento (even tho i completely hate them), they're not the same team as they were the last couple of years, but when they're on, they're a sight to see chemistry is important in the playoffs and thats the one advantage they have over all the other teams in the Western Conference because they have been together so long and are familiar with each other
If the Lake Show fails this year, then im going to have to go for the Wolves and Pistons. I still have faith in the Lakers and I feel that Kobe will step up and do something about this series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want the Spurs to win because they are boring and I'm not a fan of Popovich. I respect the Spurs and they are a classy team, but the only player I enjoy watching from them is Gino. If the NBA got rid of the zone defense, the Spurs might be a better team watch, but until then I can't stand their style. Shard, when you are in the Laker Forum the team from Sacramento is referred to as the Queens. :mrgreen:</div> Finally someone else who does not like Popovich, just because his team were champs, doesn't mean he was. I love the Spurs to be honest, I like the fact that they work hard and get the job done. It's the players, the team, the lack of flare and flash, the fundamentals, it may be boring, but hey they're winners. Popovich plays almost absolutely no part. If they were to lose, it'd mostly be his fault. I'd like for the Lakers to win myself. I'm tied between them and the Timberwolves. I simply want GP and The Mailman to get their first rings, they deserve it. Kobe is well deserving too, I'm not too sure about Shaq, it'd simply fuel his ego and make him lazier. As for the Timberwolves, look at all those workhorses and talent on that team. Hoiberg, Madsen, Hassell, Olokowandi and Sczerbiak, all of them deserve rings as well. No need to mention the Big Three, we all know how much they do. They'd probably be able to get it this year if not the next year, if you ask me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">Finally someone else who does not like Popovich, just because his team were champs, doesn't mean he was. I love the Spurs to be honest, I like the fact that they work hard and get the job done. It's the players, the team, the lack of flare and flash, the fundamentals, it may be boring, but hey they're winners. Popovich plays almost absolutely no part. If they were to lose, it'd mostly be his fault. </div> It's clear you know nothing about the Spurs If you think Pop plays no part in Spurs success, why do you think Tony Parker has been so good? All down to Pop pushing the kid and staying on his back every day and every game. He works him by far the hardest in practise and the way he makes them play defense is the difference from the other elite teams. Pop is one of the BEST coaches in the NBA and is hall of fame material coach. All you have to do is check his past records, If Spurs somehow lost Pop the team wouldn't be anywhere near the standard It is now.
If the Lakers don't win this year then I think the *gulps* Spurs will win it but I would want any east coast team which would probably be the Pistons or Pacers.
all these talks about Spurs being a boring team is a total b.s. you must be a real dumb not to enjoy watching a 21yr old PG running around the whole team like he owns 'em. Or a quickhand 6th men handing out awesome passes. granted they don't have a Kobe, but they do have a Timmy who gets it done everytime. don't tell me that shooting a jumper over a 7-1 300 lb with arm stretched out is easy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MarquisX:</div><div class="quote_post">all these talks about Spurs being a boring team is a total b.s. you must be a real dumb not to enjoy watching a 21yr old PG running around the whole team like he owns 'em. Or a quickhand 6th men handing out awesome passes. granted they don't have a Kobe, but they do have a Timmy who gets it done everytime. don't tell me that shooting a jumper over a 7-1 300 lb with arm stretched out is easy.</div> The Spurs are boring, and according to the lowest ratings EVER for the NBA Finals last year, it only validates how UN-entertaining they are. I think most of the people, including myself, agree Gino is exciting to watch. What makes him exciting is his playmaking ability on offense and defense. However, aside from Gino, the Spurs don't really have another playmaker on the court who plays with flare. Tony Parker is improving, but he is still a little too, inconsistent throughout the duration of a game to be recognized as a playmaker. The main reason the Spurs are considered boring, is the lack of drama on the team. To their credit, they have tremendous team chemistry and you never hear about players fighting or acting up on or off the court. With the Spurs you know exactly what you are getting night in and night out and it becomes redundant.
I guess I really like watching the Lakers play because I am a bball junkie and I love seeing the game played like it is suppose to be played. I don't know what the ratings were when the Lakers were in the playoffs but I know the only reason I watched it is because I love bball so much. We all know the West is going to win and there is no point in watching for many people. The Lakers are a boring team to me, but people watch them because they are hated...people want to see them lose. The Spurs will take over that role after they repeat this year, they will have created a dynasty and people will want to see them go down.
How can you say the Lakers are boring? Kobe Bryant alone makes them exciting to watch, the dunks, the handles, the will to win, and his shots in the clutch. Their games always come down to the final minutes and usually Kobe hits a game winner at the buzzer. They are also a great passing team, and the players on the Lakers know "how to play the game." What's not to like?
How can the Lakers be boring if they have Kobe on their team. The most flamboyant player in the league and even though Shaq has been slacking this year. He's an entertaining player to watch too. Looking at the hand and running back to the court is entertaining as hell to me. Lebron imitating him is one of those things that make the game fun to watch. Having fun while you're playing is a good thing. I like watching additional things that they do on the court other then just strictly being fundamental. Every team has to have their own pizzazz and I know everybody entitled to their opinions but Rudeezy have you ever admitted that you just basically hate the Lakers? You probaly have it's just I haven't read anyone of your post that would clearly stated that you hate the Lakers which is obvious. But to say that the Lakers is boring is something I don't have any recolletion of that when it comes to the Lakers. Alot of people hate the Lakers, but I've never read or heard anybody ever say that they're boring. It's all good though.
Last season playoffs Dallas V Spurs=Highest rated series Lakers v Spurs=Highest rated series on ABC all season The only reason the finals were so bad in terms of ratings were purely down to the Nets. When Nets can't get out and run they can be boring as hell. Spurs I don't consider a boring team. When you have Parker and Manu running the floor and watching Tim Duncan show his great footwork in the post. That bank shot is a joy to watch. Again I don't see what makes Lakers exciting, seriously was so good about Shaq doing back in, back in, push the defender down, slam dunk every time? Thats very boring to me. Watching Payton go up and down the court like he is an 8'0 center is boring so is Karl Malone hitting that same jumper from every spot on the floor. Lakers are more boring than S.A will ever be, Kobe is the only guy who can excite you on that team. At least Spurs have two very exciting guards who can make highlight plays. After this season when Kobe likely leaves...the Lakers won't have any highlight plays. And will be known as the new Utah Jazz. Only this time not anywhere near as good.
I was wrong, Rudeezy isn't alone and now their should be a whole flock of members saying that they're boring. Though I do agree about Malone, I respect him like I do Duncan. But he is a boring player to watch. I like Manu, but Parker really isn't all that great to watch to me despite his speed. Deaven George can get some highlights too, but doesn't have the green light to get those Kobe like dunks even though he jumps just as high as Kobe. Kareem would be a pretty good player to watch too, I seen some of his practices and he can 360 off a light jump. Back to the Spurs. They would be great to watch if they had one high flyer that had a the green light from Pop to do his thing. Parker would get to throw a lob pass at least twice a game to bring more excitement to the Spurs. But that may mess up their chemistry, so it's best for them to just stay with what they are. It works for them, they don't care what ppl's think about them. They just keep it real and do what they were assigned to do.
The Lakers are not boring to you because you love them. Kobe is the only guy on that team that is exciting to watch play. They have no other exciting players. Atleast the Spurs get out on the break.
If you love the actual game of basketball, then I don't see how the Spurs are boring. They are a perfect specimen of playing excellent team defense, playing to their strengths offensively and just getting down the basics of basketball in a gritty and team orientated manner. If watch basketball to see fancy passes, dunks and alley-oops, go watch the Globetrotters play or a Nets vs Dallas game. If you appreciate the game of basketball , then the Spurs are not a boring team.
Laker-haters think LA is boring, Laker fans don't. I don't think either side is going to convince the other.
This isn't about whatever team is boring, it's about what teams besides the Lakers would you want to see win an NBA championship. Stay on topic fellas.
If not the Lakers... Then hopefully the jazz.. wait.. they didn't even make the playoffs.. wtf.. they've never done that since day 1 that I was born. hrm... T-Wolves... Kevin Garnett is determined, you can see it in him. Almost like hatred... such a beautiful thing. And btw, whether or not the Spurs is boring to watch is a matter of opinion. I personally think that they are pretty boring. Mainly Tim Duncan, but he is good regardless. Boring? Yes.. but dominant, except for he's "almost" as bad as Shaq at the free-throw... noone compares to the Diesel at the line. Kobe Bryant, Kareem Rush, and Derek Fisher are all very fun to watch. Derek Fisher is so underrated its pathetic.. as of now, present time.. not the past, blah blah.. I say that Derek Fisher is a MUCH better point guard then Gary Payton... Mr. Payton is playing like the last thing he wants is a championship ring.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">This isn't about whatever team is boring, it's about what teams besides the Lakers would you want to see win an NBA championship. Stay on topic fellas.</div> Sorry, it's just that we already have are picks. It's kinda hard not to state your opinions on how certain teams are to a individual.
