Patrick

Port/Sea playoff teams next year--in Oden's and Durant's rookie season?

Agreed on Carter. Nocioni is restricted--I bet he stays in Chicago.

I think that you may be overreacting a bit based on lottery order. That said, I did look at Hollinger's top 10 free agents (which arguably could have a larger effect than a highly touted early entry rookie) and noticed that 9 of the top 10 are on Eastern Conference teams (Billups, V Carter, G Wallace, Mo Williams, G Hill, Milicic, Varajao, Nocioni, Webber), so ignoring the possibility of great interconference trades for East teams, it looks like they won't be closing the gap much. Only Rashard Lewis comes from the West. Of course, beyond Billups and perhaps Vinsanity, this is not the most impressive list (and half of it is restricted free agents who likely won't be changing teams). You got Portland or Seattle at .500 next year? I don't.

Tough for Memphis and Boston. Maybe Paul Pierce shouldn't have been sitting out so many games with an "injury".

Cavs had their chances. Not able to hit at the line or overcome lousy officiating [LeBron zero trips to line despite many drives to the rim.] Chauncey did just enough in the fourth quarter. LeBron did not.

with underhand scoops

Didn't take 4 minutes, only one and a half...

gotta come up with a better excuse than that. Too much defense? Not enough runnin' and gunnin'? Or is it on too early?

Chauncey turning it over, LeBron facilitatin'. Is Rip the one man gang and Cavs "the team" at this point? We shall see. Coach Brown rarely makes adjustments at half, so I expect the Cavs lead is very much in peril, and quickly (say first 4 mins of third quarter) will disappear.

I agree with you guys (Guy included). I never bothered to study all of the tape to see what each individual did, though I do find the "Amare was going to the table to check into the game" a pretty lame (...if not creative) attempted excuse.

Refs accommodate the passionate Sheed like crazy. If anything, it encourages his behavior. He was whining all night. At one point, one ref gently said "that's enough" and didn't T him up. This just gives Sheed more rope, and since he's oblivious, he eventually runs out of rope. I don't think Deng was whining nearly as much as Wallace was last night. Pistons look tough and deep. Probably will plow through Cle/NJ, and have a very good chance of defending the championship for the Eastern Conference.

Fausto Carmona beats Johan Santana for the second time this season--this time a 4 hit complete game shutout. Only 6 flyouts (17 groundouts, 4 K's). Pitch count was high (121), but what're ya gonna do with only a two run lead and Joe Borowski in the pen? Looks like Fausto is not headed back to Buffalo anytime soon--Jeremy Sowers will get that ticket when Jake Westbrook returns in 3-5 weeks.

reffed by Steve Javie or Joey Crawford?

Please no. I thought Horry got two because he also went after Raja Bell.

Does Chris Mihm carry Smush's bags out, or KG's all season?

streamin' outta the Palace with 7 minutes to go...

I find this playoff season more interesting than most. Not yet another run by Kobe/Shaq (or Jordan/Pippen, or ...). Detroit and San Antonio are solid but it's not (yet) inevitable that they will meet in the final. Dallas, Phoenix solid teams that have had some challenges, and maybe it turns out, too much love. GS surprising everyone (including themselves). LeBron trying to get to the next stage (...and lose to the same opponent). Epoch dramas for all ages--perhaps not, but entertaining basketball nonetheless. Increasingly irrelevant? Compared to what - NCAA tournament, McDonalds high school game, WNBA? NBA China? With more foreign players participating, and the increased level of play globally, isn't there really more talent available now (...a fair amount of it requiring more on-the-job training than in the past)?

...need Oscar Gamble with the 'fro and a '74 Indians softball uniform...

Exciting, tight, defensive (or offensive, depending on your preferences) playoff game in NJ. Cavs focusing on the three-headed monster turns Mikki Moore into Dirk Nowitzki (so to speak). LeBron decent from the field (9/16) but not the line (10/15). Fortunately, crybaby Vince had his problems (6/23 from field, 10/14 from line), and Jason only rebounded (2/13 from field, 5 pts, 7 assists, 17 rebounds!). NJ did not score a field goal during last 7 minutes of game. Cavs squeek by. Now back to the main attraction with the Big Fundamental.

Tribe definitely struggling on left coast. Good signs are that Cliff Lee's second outing was excellent (complete game three hitter at LAA) and Fausto Carmona continues to pitch well. Josh Barfield starting to show a faint pulse (still batting around .210).

Living and dying by the three-pointer. Eventually it catches up to you.

Absolute nightmare?? Check Joe Borowski...

okay, Prince and Billups arrived for the second half.

what's happenin' to deeetroit basketball? anyone showing up besides Sheed?

LeBron had 36 pts and 12 assists (only 1 rebound). Cavs shot 45% from the field, Nets 53%. All five Cavs starters in double figures including Pavlovic with 17. Pavlovic, who has no business guarding Carter, did a decent job through 3. Carter got it going toward the end, but boy is he a prima donna and a crybaby... Lower the shoulder, plow through the defender, and then cry after the foul is called against the defender. Please. Next time the ref will have to giftwrap it for you. And we all know it is physically impossible for VC to commit a turnover without being fouled. Please. Game 3 not until Saturday, so LeBron can get his rest. Staying up watching these western conference games, ...I'll need to get my rest.