BruceW

Tru Dat agin!!

I had totally given the game to the Lakers and went to do something on my computer. (Naturally, had turned the volume level on TV up to hear). Next thing I know I am hearing all this loud cheering and came back to the TV just in time to see that pass thrown "through" Kobe's fingers. Decided I better watch from there on. but remember this, for every collapse, another team has to have the ability to walk through that door and OKC did.

I bet if Coach sat down Gasol and Bynum and let the scrubs start, that would light a fire under their rears and start playing some playoff basketball.

Yep, you are right about the 4th quarter, the only real weakness of OKC. But aging Kobe is outrunning the younger guys on his own team!!!

Reminds me of the 1977 finals when Maurice Lucas shook hands with Darryl Dawkins before game three of their series - they'd had a set to in game two. Lucas later said it was a con to throw Dawkins off his game. It worked, as the Blazers took the next four games after being down 0-2. I'm sure that BruceW remembers that. You're right Paul, Lucas was very very smart (and tough). He was the man in his day. The Enforcer

I'd pay to see that one. Eight days rest vs. one day rest. OKC was fresh, LA was flat. I think this series goes to six. That is no excuse. Every team has the option of closing out their series early and getting extra rest. The Lakers failed to do that. And in a way, they had the advantage of being "sharp" but they weren't that either. So what else is new??? OKC is just a better team this year. I think you can be sure that The League has served notice on MWP that if he does anything like that again, he is finished being an NBA player.

OKC will run circles around Lakers. Watch out if OKC ever figures out how to hold a lead in the 4th quarter.

Question of the week. Will the Lakers dump World Peace next season? and why? or why not? BruceW

Clipjoint, that's cute. I also happen to like the Clippers but had turned off that game. To my surprise I turned it back on just before the end and saw the amazing comback. Yea!! Have no idea how far they can go in playoffs.

Memphis is a better team than most people think. Blame that loss (Clippers comeback) on the coach. How else can you lose a 27 point lead like that that late in the game.

D.Rose out, C. Bulls no title. Rose has had so many injuries, he probably should not have played as much as he did. But then again, he has to earn all that money he is making.

I agree. If you disagree with a call with a ref and he T's you up and the same thing happens 16 time, you then get suspended for one game and for every T after that initial 16. So you could get suspended for 7 games just for disagreeing with refs over a season. But if you damn near kill a player you get 7 games does not make sense. A lost opportunity to demand civility in a finese sport. Skip Bayless on First Take on ESPN had the gall to say that Harden instigated the action of Artest. What a screwed up way of thinking given the participants. Ask Stephen A. Smith.

Nice try but NO WAY!!! Artest is a ticking time bomb. BruceW

I agree with you that Artest was poor choice for Lakers, and Ariza was a player Lakers should have invested more belief in. I think the Lakers wanted a more physical defensive player at the time. However, I have seen at least 15 replays of the blow and the physical action just before the blow. Artest felt a player on his left back side (replay shows this) and if you watch intently, you can see Artest take that quick pick (as if to see if someone was actually there) and then wound up with viciousness and let that high elbow fly). You know, in the old days, physicality was accepted though not to the degree that intention was to hurt. Bill Russell was not a star until he decked the guys that kept pushing him around. Abdul Jabbar likewise had to deck Kent Benson because of Benson's dirty play. Even Shaq knocked a guard "silly" that felt he could keep driving on him in the playoffs. Karl Malone had moves to demand respect. Lucas for Portland was annointed with the monniker of "The Enforcer" for his tactics in physicality. Many players have been "educated" to the rules of the playoffs but this one with MTW was after the play and could have killed Harden, and we still don't know if he is going to be alright for sure. At present, different teams are "educating" Blake Griffin to playoff basketball. However, they are going over the line on his education also. Players careers are at stake now. The respect for the physicality and the respect for a players career and possibly his life are two different things. Clean it up Commish. BruceW

Meta Weird Peace has again committed one of the most total assinine acts, throwing elbows, and this to the ear and upper head of a player. There is NO excuse, he wound up and let fly with intended force. It is supposed to be a Flagrant 2 and automatic 2 game suspension. His act was as bad as Kermit Washington's punch back in the day. Weird Peace deserves to miss the playoffs at least if not banned from the league. That kind of blow can kill a man or cause permanent brain damage or disablement. BruceW

Maybe they did tell him STFU and he couldn't take it and that is why he asked out. Anyway, too bad for Lamar, too bad for Dallas, and too bad for Lakers. A lose lose lose situation. Hey, what if???? Big Shot Billups had not gone down with an injury? Would Clippers have solidified 3rd seed??

I'm not trolling, and I bring up a very valid point. If you have no sympathy for those he infected, then it's you who have some integrity issues. And yes, I know promiscuity runs rampant in b-ball. Shawn Kemp: 12 kids from 11 women. D'oh! And fwiw, Magic was one of my favorite players during my childhood. I fully and happily recognize his greatness as an athlete. That does not excuse his indiscretions. Sorry. One cannot grow up in NYC and NOT be a basketball fan. WHOA, Now you are again making assumptions. No one knows if he infected anyone else other than the contact he had that infected him. Remember his wife and kid were not infected and he had a loving (on whatever level) relationship with her.

I forgot to mention that he said that to a title less Michael Jordan. He jumped directly on Michael (the most talented and the ego problem at the time) and the rest is history.

I find it hard to believe that PJ would absolutely not return to the Knicks. Someone said earlier that it would complete his cycle. And this is probably the only "my way or highway" coach left out there. If Phil returned and walked into the gym, you had better believe there would be instant respect for him. And if there was not "instant" respect, Phil is the only guy known for stating "I want to see you in MY office, NOW." So if New York basically has a great core group and one dissenter, that is only a minor problem for Phil to solve. But then again, there is Phil's health issues. So, I have to wait and see who gets the job.

Holy Craps, I remember when Kossi Gardner was playing with Roy Ayers or vice versa (both unknown at the time) back in Los Angeles on Adams Blvd. at a little hole in the wall (can't remember the name of the place). It was near Crenshaw Blvd. I always wondered what happened to him after Roy got discovered. At that time I thought and felt that Kossi and Roy was a beautiful combination and playing some very beautiful groovin' music. Oh well, guess I gave my age away didn't I?? smile. Those were some good ol' days.

Something like maybe he would think about returning to the Cavs in a couple of years. Must have given Heat management and fans pause. ... Yep Lebron definitely has that well known disease called; "foot in mouth disease." How can he possibly be thinking that or even why?? What an insult to both teams that would be. The knocking around of Lin is good for him at this point. Very few guys make such a strong impression in a couple of weeks. Now he has the bullseye on his back and that will only make him stronger and better if he doesn't fold. Coach seems to think he will be alright. Who knows, the knocking around plus sooner or later the refs will start giving him the calls if he handles it well then, we'll see. Good luck Jeremy

What did Lebron say about a return to Cleveland???

Well it seems there is a little fire amongst us. Good, I would hate to think that nobody cares about the NBA anymore. I would only add at this point that it was out of James' mouth himself that proclaimed "we will win not one, not two, not three, not four, not five etc. etc." and he has yet to win the first one. Hopefully he will because he is a tremendous talent but until he does, he most certainly does not belong among the top ten in "NBA history". Nine of those spots are already taken by Kobe, Shaq, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Pettit and George Mikan, just to name a few. Oh yeah, how could I forget Wilt Chamberlain. That is ten already and the great Oscar Robertson, even rainbow head has 5 rings (2 with the Pistons and 3 with the Bulls), well let me stop here. These are people who have left a mark on the game. Kobe's five rings speaks a lot and a zero says very little.

There was a question about basketball that showed up in another Forum. Let's get it going here. My question: What is wrong with Lebron James. The general belief is that this is the best player in the world. BUT he has yet to win an NBA crown. He has been to the Finals twice with two different teams and both times "he has checked out at the most crucial times in the games." He also "checked out" at the end of the All Star game just past and a night ago, he "checked out" again at the end. Argument: Is Lebron James afraid to not have a perfect game? Is Lebron James afraid to take the last shot when the game is on the line? and especially big big games. I don't think he can even be considered to be the "best player" until he gets his head straight regarding "the big shot in the big game." I personally don't want to hear anymore about "I let my team down again." Just do it and Lebron "You won't be the first or last player to seek psychological help on subjects like this. Just do it. Just sayin'

I live in San Bernardino and the above list is the best I've seen in a long time. I am only 75 miles from LA but 75 miles in west coast traffic is "forever." Since I have not been on the scene in a long time, I would think once you get started with the above references, you will quickly find out where things are. BruceW