NBA

[JK]

Looks like the AK47 is starting to re-find his touch - noticed he posted some tidy numbers today!

If indeed he is back in the groove at the business end of the year, he brings a shitload to both the Jazz' offence and defence and they are a real smoky, especially with the Mavs outta the way!

[Dutchy]

Looks like the AK47 is starting to re-find his touch - noticed he posted some tidy numbers today!

If indeed he is back in the groove at the business end of the year, he brings a shitload to both the Jazz' offence and defence and they are a real smoky, especially with the Mavs outta the way!

We have a good record against the Spurs this year also, not so good against the Suns thought...

[Dutchy]

well The Jazz first ones through to the conference finals with Chicago pulling off a huge upset to extend their series against Detriot..Spurs/Sunds looks like it will go to 7 though...which is good for the Jazz....did anyone see yesterdays game with Horry hip and shouldering Nash aussie rules style?...got a 2 game suspension for it and one game to Stoudimire and someone else for leaving the bench...Game 5 tomorrow

[crowmuncher]

I was stoked to see the Blazers get the first pick, and likely to result in Oden..

Also sucked into the Celts tanking this year and then recieve 5th pick

[brod]

Youve gone a bit quiet Dutchy, and reading the reports of the games, Im not surprised. In both games the Spurs have dominated the first half and then relaxed a bit, but had more than enough for a couple of easy wins. The next couple will be interesting as the Spurs are 0-8 in playoff games in Utah, and in fact have never beaten the Jazz in a a playoff series (0-3). The Jazz though look to have a lot to turn around, to be out rebounded by 9 (when it is such a strength of the Jazz) and let the Spurs shoot over 55%, the Jazz even won the turnover count by 8, but were so far out of the game.

[Dutchy]

NBA draft lottery was held yesterday for the 07/08 season, top 4 picks were determined by lottery with each team that missed the playoffs having a certain % chance, Portland got the Top pick with only a 5% chance as they had the 7th worst record, poor Memphis who had the leagues worst record had a 25% chance but got 4th pick!!! very strong draft this upcoming season also -

LOTTERY RESULTS

1. Portland 32-50 5.3%
2. Seattle 31-51 8.8%
3. Atlanta 30-52 11.9%
4. Memphis 22-60 25.0%
----------------------------
5. Boston 24-58 19.9%
6. Milwaukee 28-54 15.6%
7. Minnesota 32-50 5.3%
8. Charlotte 33-49 1.9%
9. New York1 33-49 1.9%
10. Sacramento 33-49 1.8%
11. Atlanta (via IND) 35-47 0.8%
12. Philadelphia 35-47 0.7%
13. New Orleans 39-43 0.6%
14. L.A. Clippers 40-42 0.5%

[Dutchy]

Youve gone a bit quiet Dutchy, and reading the reports of the games, Im not surprised. In both games the Spurs have dominated the first half and then relaxed a bit, but had more than enough for a couple of easy wins. The next couple will be interesting as the Spurs are 0-8 in playoff games in Utah, and in fact have never beaten the Jazz in a a playoff series (0-3). The Jazz though look to have a lot to turn around, to be out rebounded by 9 (when it is such a strength of the Jazz) and let the Spurs shoot over 55%, the Jazz even won the turnover count by 8, but were so far out of the game.

Only caught the last half of yesterdays game so cant comment much but as much as Im a Jazz fan I have huge respect for the Spurs as as per this post below I tipped them to win the lot in early March (sorry to say I didnt back them at the $6-00 on offer back then ) wouldnt supirse me if they sweep although Im hoping we at least take a couple of games off them at home...I have got a huge bet going for Detroit to win the East so looking OK at the moment...

you blokes follow it closely whos your tip for the Championship?

Mavs...would like to see them win it but many of their wins are unimpressive but they get the job done
Suns...seem to be struggling lately, maybe their fast paced offence has them leg weary this time of year
Spurs....still my tip, they play better on the road than at home this year, could be the key some play off time

Roughie - My Jazz are playing ultra consistent team B/Ball and cleaned up NOH today who were the hottest team in the comp over the last fortnight

[ORDoubleBlues]

Looks like Greg Oden will be suiting up for the Portland Trailblazers next season and I'll be expecting the triumvirate of Randolph, Roy and Oden back in the playoffs straight away.
Also looks like Kevin Durant will be heading to Seattle and I'll be interested to see what they do with Ray Allen now as unless they can perhaps line Durant up at small forward, they'll both be playing the same position and Durant is too good to be biding his time on the bench. Actually won't surprise me if Allen gets traded to a contender over the off season, providing of course that he's not on a huge contract that no team will want to touch.

[crowmuncher]

Looks like Greg Oden will be suiting up for the Portland Trailblazers next season and I'll be expecting the triumvirate of Randolph, Roy and Oden back in the playoffs straight away.
Also looks like Kevin Durant will be heading to Seattle and I'll be interested to see what they do with Ray Allen now as unless they can perhaps line Durant up at small forward, they'll both be playing the same position and Durant is too good to be biding his time on the bench. Actually won't surprise me if Allen gets traded to a contender over the off season, providing of course that he's not on a huge contract that no team will want to touch.

I know they are shopping him around, I also think that Shard is out of contract too..

[Jimmy]

i reckon the cavs are on a similar path to the bulls around 85 - 89....cavs are just one play maker away from a c'ship team...a redd, allen etc etc....too bad they had to get hughes....

i think the pistons and spurs will play off for the c'ship but next year the cavs will be up their again if they can find that missing piece.

[Magpiespower]

LOTTERY RESULTS

5. Boston 24-58 19.9%

ROFLMAO!

Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of b@st@rds.

Ain't that right dinglinga?

[Dutchy]

i reckon the cavs are on a similar path to the bulls around 85 - 89....cavs are just one play maker away from a c'ship team...a redd, allen etc etc....too bad they had to get hughes....

i think the pistons and spurs will play off for the c'ship but next year the cavs will be up their again if they can find that missing piece.

Lets see if LBJ can shoot more than 30% today!!!!

[ORDoubleBlues]

i reckon the cavs are on a similar path to the bulls around 85 - 89....cavs are just one play maker away from a c'ship team...a redd, allen etc etc....too bad they had to get hughes....

i think the pistons and spurs will play off for the c'ship but next year the cavs will be up their again if they can find that missing piece.

Lets see if LBJ can shoot more than 30% today!!!!

IMHO, the Cavs are a solid frontcourt rebounder away from championship contention. Gooden, Marshall and Ilgauskas are all nice players but don't really have that powerful presence around the basket. Obviously the did have Carlos Boozer a couple of years ago and it makes you wonder where they'd be at if he'd hung around.
The curse of the Boston Celtics at the draft lottery continues and given the makeup of their side, I won't be surprised if they take Chinese 7 footer Yi Jianlian with the 5th pick.
Of course in relation to the Sonics, Durant probably can play small forward given that he's 6'9 but in the long run, I still see him being a shooting guard and as far as possible trades go, it could still happen as I don't think there's going to be enough shots to go around between Allen, Rashard Lewis and Durant.
You'd have to like the Spurs to win the title from here and their dedication to fundamental team basketball is rare in this modern era.

[Jimmy]

the cavs are shooting themselves in the foot tonight....pistons can do no wrong....

plenty of these at realcavsfans.com....

[Dutchy]

Go the Pistons!!!...LBJ is not a big game player yet Im afraid....

[Dissident]

Go the Cavs!
Game three Le Bron highlights were gold to watch on NBA.com

[Dissident]

By the way, jury still out (for mine) on Oden/Durant.

Oden will no doubt be pick one but eh ... I am no convinced he'll be the better player.

I hope for Portland's sake it isn't another "lets pass on Jordan and take Bowie" scenario.

[floaterhead]

it will be a spurs pistons final with the spurs winning 4-2.....

disappointing though... again its not necessarily the best two teams playing each other in the final...I dont like the playoff system...

[floaterhead]

I agree with you that oden will probably go no 1.....oden is just an animal..... I can see durant being a better player in the nba though...his play is more based on ability....there have been a few big lads come through that have cleaned up in college but have found its a different game in the nba.....kwaeme brown for example...oden will still be a fairly solid player i think though...

[Dutchy]

it will be a spurs pistons final with the spurs winning 4-2.....

disappointing though... again its not necessarily the best two teams playing each other in the final...I dont like the playoff system...

Huh? Whose the best 2 teams then?

Cavs equal the series in the East now 2-2