The Commish Playoff Preview: West
4,000 words of love-hating and predicting…
By Vincent Thomas
There are two things I want to hit before diving into the Western Conference preview…
1.) You can only look at the Nellie-Baron Fiasco one of two ways. Either both dudes are lying and there was indeed some private/secret blowup that forced/prompted Nellie to sit the squad’s best player AND leader for the entire second half of the season’s most important game; or Nellie made one of the single worse and most inexplicably rash, drama-queen coaching decisions in recent memory, stuff that would have your typical coach under white-hot media scrutiny and fan-ire. Star players are not immune to playing trashy ball in big games, it happens. Nellie said B was the worse player on the court. That’s cool. But on what planet would that ever dictate making a firm decision, DURING HALFTIME, to sit that player for the remainder of the game?! If anything, wouldn’t Nellie have expected Baron to snap out of it and rise to the occasion? He’d done that numerous timesduring these past two years of leading that franchise back to relevance. I just think that Nellie is too great and intelligent of a coach and Baron is too much of a warrior (in both senses) to ever let that go down. I’m saying that the rhetoric Nellie is currently spewing is patently absurd and reeks of a downright lie. It couldn’t have gone down like that. On the flip-side, I’m one of those dudes that thinks Nellie swigs Chivas Regal during halftime — and I’m only sorta joking about that. We all know that a little too much whisky can make one a little combative and we also know that B is a hot-head. The stretch run in the Western Conference made everyone into an emotional lunatic. Kobe was picking up Ts on the reg, even the Phoenix Nuns went bonkers for a stretch. With the season in perilous jeopardy and Baron, admittedly, playing less than stellar ball, that halftime locker-room was a Petri dish for a bunch of volatile and combustible personalities. Something went down, because I’ll never believe that Nellie walked up to one of the few clutch performers in the league, took a swig from his flask and said, “Baron, you’re playing horrible, so you’re not going to play for the rest of the half.” Impossible.
2.) Go with me here…What if the West’s regular season, for the first time (maybe ever), overshadows the playoffs? The second half of this season has us all anticipating an epic postseason. But what if that doesn’t happen? In order for the playoff series to be compelling, exciting and entertaining, both squads generally need to be playing well. But, if you ask me, most the Western squads are sputtering, not peaking. What if we see a first round full of match-ups pitting one struggling, gimpy squad against another? There’s a strong possibility that that’s what could happen. There’s also a strong possibility that each of the series could be riveting. I guess what I’m saying is that, every one of these compelling Western squads are Jekyll & Hydish. Check my flip-floppy take on each team/series below…
LOS ANGELES (1) vs. DENVER (8)
Why The Lakers Are Dope:
Kobe believes in his teammates. That’s where all of the Laker talk begins and ends. L.A. is dope in almost every facet of the game and you’ve heard it all before. They’re long, they’re deep, they shoot well, they have post players, they’re well-coached — yada-yada-yada. But the only thing that matters here is that Kobe believes he can win the whole thing with this squad. From that comes a trust and commitment from the game’s best player that gives L.A. a higher ceiling than any squad in the league, because Kobe’s mania is actually channeled through a collective. If Kobe came into the postseason questioning this squad’s heart and talent, then L.A. would be one bad game away from No. 24 goin’ rogue on the whole squad. But if you watch the Lakers (and I’ve watched 60-65 of their games this season), then you can recognize that Kobe is riding on confidence and trust, right now. He had some Old Kobe moments during Gasol’s injury-stretch, but in the past nine games he’s back to playing on that “other level.” This doesn’t bode well for his enemies.
Why The Lakers Are Sobering:
L.A. is Charmin-soft. You’re with me on that, right? Go down each of the Western squads — they all have at lease one Presence. Suns have Shaq. Nuggs have Kenyon and Nene. Hornets have Chandler and West. Utah has Boozer. Spurs have Timmy. The Mavs and Rockets don’t have any big-names, but Damp is a Man, as are dudes like Deke and Scola for Houston. L.A. happens to be my favorite professional franchise — on par with my hometown Buffalo Bills — and it’s been that way since I can remember. My Pops rooted for them with such zeal and against the Cs with such fervor, during my childhood, that I had no choice but to be a serious L.A. fan. I don’t voice my Laker fanship much, because we have enough Laker super-fans on the SLAM squad (I think Holly is all you guys can take). But as much as I love my squad, one thing is super-conspicuous every time I’m watching some squad knife through the lane for a layup or out-muscle the L.A. Big Men for a board: The Lakers are straight massengill. That’s my word. ‘Drew Bynum brought a lot to the table, but, more than anything, he was a presence. He was always swatting at dudes driving down the lane and practically every ball coming off the rim was his. As skilled as Gasol is and as ill as ‘Mar has played recently, that is a soft 5-4 Combo. So, yeah, squads like the Hornets and Suns and Spurs scare me.
Why The Nuggs Are Dope:
I promise to personally retire this term soon, but Denver drips swag. AI, Melo, KMart, JR — these dudes play with moxie. I love that about them. But I hate so much more…
Why The Nuggs Sober Me Up More Than Any Other Squad In The League:
Denver is deep. Denver is profoundly talented. Denver features two of the 10 biggest stars in the league. Denver is mad athletic. Denver is coached by the veteran, pedigreed, high-profile George Karl. Denver should have been a Top 3 seed, regardless of Nene’s injury. But you know what? They don’t have a RZA. Think about what Wu-Tang would have been if their leader was not as adroit as RZA at leading a nine-man squad of uber-talented, charismatic malcontents. Forget that RZA was, perhaps, the illest beatmaker of his time. Forget that he was a studio-master on par with Dre. His single greatest achievement was his ability to take that team of disparate and volatile personalities, easily inclined toward jealousy and rivalry, and point them in the direction of masterpieces. Denver is Wu-Tang in a lot of ways. Except, AI and Melo (two of my favorite players) refuse to be RZA. On some days they both wanna be Meth. Other days the work together on some Rae-n-Ghost steez. But what this squad has always needed was a RZA, someone to set an example and also forcibly lead this talented squad — one that isn’t as meticulously composed as, say, the Spurs or even the Lakers — to a higher ground. What good team would ever score 168 points in regulation? That’s simply not the way typical NBA games progress. That game against the Sonics featured two terrible teams — as in, Seattle Denver — playing some of the worse, most careless ball in the modern era. Nothing about Denver, other than it’s talent and undeniable ability to score, resembles anything remotely close to a good squad. It’s sad, frustrating and uncalled for.
Commish Verdict:
L.A. in no more than 5.
NEW ORLEANS (2) vs. DALLAS (7)
Why The Hornets Are Dope:
This squad makes shots. When Chris and West do their pick-n-roll thing and West pops out for that 17-footer, Chris always finds him and West almost always cans the open jumper. Peja, Pargo and Mo Pete knock down their jumpers. Chandler never botches the alley-oop. That’s what we tend to forget. Take those Suns squads of the past four years; Amare always caught those wild Nash passes and converted around the basket — somehow. Bell and Barbosa always knocked down those open jumpers. Marion always finished. Chris Paul (like Nash and Magic and Kidd before him) is an exceptional talent, but his squad has — how do I say this — accommodated his brilliance. They allow his brilliance to shine because the Hornets make their shots. There are very few fumbled passes. They rarely miss gimmes. It’s a beautiful thing.
Why The Hornets Are Sobering:
Chris has one flaw — and I really do mean “ONE” — he doesn’t have a pull-up jumper from 18-20 feet. Now, granted, that hasn’t cost him much throughout his career, but we all know how the game changes in the postseason, how the contact increases, how the lane clogs, how every shot gets tougher. Chris, up to this point, has used an uncanny, otherworldly, never-seen-before ability to “manufacture space” on the floor by his use of speed-modulation (that’s a new term), his Houdini-handle, his crazy touch on finishes and the defense’s paranoia with his passing. But a pick-n-roll might not get you two late buckets in a close slug-fest. And you might not want Mo Pete taking a game-winner off a kickout. Problem is, Chris can’t face-you-up, do a little shakin’, step-back and knock down a 20-footer like Deron. He can’t lull you to sleep and quick-release a trey like Nash. In fact, the Hornets don’t really have anyone on the squad that has the kind of end-of-the-game repertoire other than…yep, Bonzi. Do you trust him, though?
Why The Mavs Are Dope:
That snarlin’, swaggerin’, muggin’ Dirk is back. That was a scary, transcendent dude when we last saw him constantly during the ‘05-’06 and ‘06-’07 seasons (minus the Mav-collapses verse Miami and GState). He was a confident, practically unguardable sucker. He took and made big shots. He grabbed timely boards and he played sorta ornery. Then he met Jax last May, got his skirt lifted, went to The Land Down Under and grew a beard, returned and played well, but not great. That was until Kidd rolled through to imbue him with some new life. Now Dirk is back and that means that the Mavs can do anything…really.
Why The Mavs Are Sobering:
Have you seen Kidd trying to defend quick guards? He literally plays 10-feet off them. The dudes he guards could casually shoot set-shots if they wanted. Often the Mavs switch and put Kidd on the bigger guard, but then Terry gets toasted, too. Well, the West is full of extremely talented small-guards. Kidd could end up being Dallas’ savior if Dirk continues to regain his old luster, but he could likewise be the reason for the Mavs downfall, too. We’ll see…
Commish Verdict:
Mavs in 7. Yep.
SAN ANTONIO (3) vs. PHOENIX (6)
Why The Spurs Are Dope:
Doesn’t it strike you as stupid that the Spurs are not universally accepted as a dynasty? Who invented this “they’ve never won back-to-back titles” shizz? So you mean to tell me that a squad that won chips in ‘03, ‘05 and ‘07, while being one of the leagues three or four best teams in ‘04 and ‘06 — that’s not a dynasty? Aight, whatevs. Here’s what I know: this Spurs squad is the closest thing we have to that 80s Lakers Dynasty and the 90s Bulls Run, because every year, no matter what is ailing the Spurs or how they play down the stretch, San Antonio is a favorite and — more often than not — they deliver. It’s been that way for the past five years! We are witnessing one of the quintessential, time-capsule runs by an organization. Unless the Lakers win back-to-back titles this year and next, this decade goes down as The Spurs Decade. And you know what? As iffy as they appear right now, smart money could easily be on them to repeat. Cherish this squad while you can…
Why The Spurs Are Sobering:
With all that was said in the previous paragraph, danger lurks. The Spurs remind me of Rome. Remember, there was no hostile take over the way the other World Powers like Greece and Egypt toppled. Rome’s dominance sort of fizzled until it was no more. Rome didn’t necessarily fall, it faded. I think that’s where we are with the Spurs at this point. I’ve said before that Duncan is in his ‘05 Shaq mode. He’s still one of the best in the league. He can still dominate at times. But he’s lost a bit. He’s not as mobile. He can be locked up by the right defender and he’s even more susceptible to freaks like Amare. He’s not “money” when it comes to converting down low with contact. He’s slipping. And so are the Spurs. They’re ancient, propped up by the brilliance of Manu and Timmy the Sage, plus Panties Parker is a load on offense as a scorer. But the rest of their lineup is weathered. This is a New West. New Powers are taking shape — Utah, L.A., New Orleans — meanwhile the Spurs are struggling to keep pace, fuggedabout staying ahead. This might be the year when they get bounced early and ugly, signaling the inevitable end.
Commish Verdict:
Suns in 7.
UTAH (4) vs. HOUSTON (5)
Why The Jazz Are Dope:
Utah is one highly skilled squad. They don’t trot out too many duds. Booz, Deron, Okur, Harping, AK, Korver, Brewer…all these dudes play ball. If you give them the pill, you don’t have to cover your eyes. They remind me of Detroit in that way — a squad full of ball-players. Most teams can’t say that. Most teams routinely have someone on the floor that, within the context of the NBA, is basically a stiff. Whereas, Utah keeps five dudes on the court that, if you saw them shooting around before a pickup game, you’d ask to run with your squad. That’s why this team made the Conference Finals last year, that’s why they’re a threat to do it again.
Why The Jazz Are Sobering:
Boozer is a leader. He is Utah’s leader. He’s tough, smart, responsible, reliable and exacting. I love that about him. He’s my favorite young big man in the game. Amare is better, Dwight is more dominant, yada-yada-yada — Booz is my kinda guy, though. Here’s the problem, when you throw it down to Booz at the end of games, he won’t necessarily kill you if you double-team him. He averages as many TOs as assists (and not many assists). And he’s also not the kind of dude that is a guaranteed bucket when you need it. That’s really all that the playoffs are about. At the end of a close, bloody-battle, which team has the player or players that routinely come through in the clutch. It’s simple in that way. Usually that player is the leader of the squad. Well Booz is Utah’s leader, but when is the last time you saw him dominate the last 5 minutes of a the fourth quarter in a big-game? This brings us to Deron. I guess you’d call him the Jazz’ “Big Game” player. And that’s cool. I’ve seen him kill a few squads down the stretch of big games. He’s not to be toyed with. But the West, again, is full of Transcendent Dudes when the game is on the line (Kobe, Nash, Manu, AI, the New Old Dirk) — Killers, Murderers, Punks, Gangstas, Jerks, Hitmen, Greats. Utah doesn’t have anyone like that. The Big Boys are about to start ballin’ now and I’m wondering if Utah truly belongs. It ain’t 2007 anymore…
Why The Rockets Are Dope:
They’re a tough bunch or blue-collar cats. You seen Scola’s face? He’s been in alley-fights on the reg, I’m sure of this. Bobby Jackson is the type of cat to hit dudes over the head with Belvedere bottles in VIP. Deke’s from Africa, he’s hard. Landry, Mike Harris and Chuck Hayes teeter on the edge of the NBA-NBDL line. The future is real for them, as in real uncertain. Shane Battier shouldn’t even be playing basketball, he should be running Obama’s campaign. But he thought, “Hey, I’m 6-7, I’m kinda athletic, if I put my nerd-mind to it, I can make a ton of money doing this.” He plays with the same strict, bookworm zeal that he did his homework. Teams like this may not have a high ceiling, but they win games, many of which they shouldn’t.
Why The Rockets Are Sobering:
I think there’s a hex on McGrady’s career. He goes to Orlando with Hill, hoping to win some Eastern Conference titles and Hill is injured for McGrady’s whole stay in that soulless city. They get up 3-1 on Detroit and still go home. He goes to Houston, teams with, arguably, the best center in the league…they were the new Shaq & Kobe. Except, Yao ain’t Shaq and dude ain’t No. 24. It’s just dissapointment and unfulfilled potential around every corner. What I’m saying is not new. The stakes for McGrady are well known. But what’s different about this season? I can’t really tell you. Houston is the least talented, least experienced squad of these eight teams and their star is the only one burdened by history. It ain’t looking good.
Commish Verdict:
Rockets in 7 — but only because I’m rooting for Mac.
101 Responses to “The Commish Playoff Preview: West”
Apr.18 at 9:50 am
Captain America says:
Rockets, Mavs, Spurs, and Nuggets will not advance.
Apr.18 at 10:03 am
Gaber says:
jazz in 6:)
Apr.18 at 10:03 am
Ken says:
Not digging the bold type at all.
Apr.18 at 10:04 am
Hursty says:
whas with the dark writing?
nice sh*t otherwise
Apr.18 at 10:06 am
Hursty says:
EVERYTHING IS IN BOLD. EVEN NUMBERS
Apr.18 at 10:18 am
Hursty says:
thanks for the love Vincent. Go tmac. dude is definitely cursed somehow. Landry is good dude. not a fringe player. whats wrong with Scolas face?!?
Apr.18 at 10:19 am
Ryan Jones says:
A side note: Things are heating up over on Devin Ebanks’ Jordan Classic diary. If you haven’t stopped by, please do.
Apr.18 at 10:34 am
Mayor of Lovetron says:
Gotta respect an article that has a Wu-Tang analogy as well as a Roman Empire one. Though, the Jazz are not losing to the Rockets in the first round.
Apr.18 at 10:42 am
Hursty says:
what would a mayor know? you dont support the bucks do you?
Apr.18 at 10:44 am
scott says:
LA Lakers, Utah, Phoenix, and Dallas moving on up.
Apr.18 at 10:44 am
Hursty says:
Herb Koel(?) = mayor of most sh!t and drunken city in the US
Apr.18 at 10:45 am
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
good article, not as good as the eastern though… i agree with almost everything, but utah is gonna get houston. i’m with t-mac all the day cause a guy like that can’t be tagged as the man that never won a playoff, but utah is gonna get them. too bad. and the biggest mistake i’ve seen here:
“But the West, again, is full of Transcendent Dudes when the game is on the line (Kobe, Nash, Manu, AI, the New Old Dirk)” WHO TRUSTS DIRK WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE LINE?!?!?!?!!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!
PINK DIRK?!?!?! R U KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!? i rather have the ball on bonzi’s hand… but for the mavs, usually, the killer is terry, and when your killer is a player of the caliber of jason terry, and believe me, i like him, you are not gonna go all the way.
Apr.18 at 10:47 am
Mayor of Lovetron says:
Sorry Hursty, don’t get all sensitive on me. I’m just saying the Rockets don’t have what it takes to beat the Jazz 4 times in a series.
Apr.18 at 10:49 am
Mayor of Lovetron says:
Though I’m sure T Mac will make a guarantee at some point and then have to sheepishly swallow yet another failed promise
Apr.18 at 10:51 am
Benoit Benjamin says:
Loved that Phoenix Nuns find. Nice piece, but I do see the Spurs advancing to the conference finals. Probably for the last time though.
Apr.18 at 10:53 am
Blue says:
Suns, Mavs, Kobes and Rox to the 2nd round…though it’s hard to see the Spurs not making it to the 2nd round. They are a different squad in the playoffs…
Apr.18 at 10:53 am
Nick says:
1. Good sh!t. 2. The rockets will beat the jazz…or i will probably kill myself. 3. Lovetron is a planet, not a city, you ass.
Apr.18 at 11:03 am
Hursty says:
sorry Nick. Us rockets boys gotta stick together though. come on dude
Apr.18 at 11:15 am
Myles Brown says:
Commish Verdict:Mavs in 7. Yep. I just might have to agree. Irony is a muthaf*cka.
Apr.18 at 11:23 am
Nick says:
Hursty:i was calling the Mayor of Lovetron an ass, because being the mayor of lovetron is like being the city comptroller of north america, it just doesn’t make any f*cking sense. As for us Houstonians, we’ve gotta have each others backs. Win or loose, we shall flip over cars and light stuff on fire together.
Apr.18 at 11:24 am
DP says:
I want T-mac to come out on top for once in his career but I truly believe the Rockets cannot win sh*t without Yao ming in the lineup. And who would ever think that not having Rafer Alston for the first two games would cause such a problem? I am still kind of scared of the Nuggets though. play wit it.
Apr.18 at 11:26 am
scott says:
Houston is actually a better team without Yao.
Apr.18 at 11:28 am
Hursty says:
TEAM yes. imagine if they had him the whole season though. Much more confident and better in both A and D
Apr.18 at 11:30 am
Hursty says:
Nick- can we shoot our guns and yell cowboy stuff into the air?
Apr.18 at 11:38 am
DP says:
They might be a better team…………..but that 22 game win streak don’t mean sh*t once the playoffs come around. You are in a new ballpark and it is a totally different game. Yao just brings a new dimension to the team if you know what i’m sayin. Landry(kid is good) and Scola just cannot do that IMO. play wit it.
Apr.18 at 11:38 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Easy on the brokeback-stuff cowboys..
Apr.18 at 11:39 am
ciolkstar says:
The Spurs are making to the WCF for sheez. Haters hate.
Apr.18 at 11:42 am
riggs says:
“Shane Battier shouldn’t even be playing basketball, he should be running Obama’s campaign” hahaha, also kudos for the WU reference.
Apr.18 at 11:42 am
Candice says:
The Lakers are not the Spurs and are not that great defensive team, that can lock down all the Denver player’s. I feel like most of the media is discounting the Nuggets especially AI. The Nuggets have a bench too that people seem to forget about. I’ll admit at first I didn’t want the Nuggets to play the Lakers but hearing AI comments in his postgame conference after they played Memphis made me feel more confident in them.
Apr.18 at 11:45 am
Nick says:
Of course we can shoot our guns into the air Hursty, if by “air” you mean “John Stockton and Karl Malone.”
Apr.18 at 11:45 am
Hursty says:
Lz- does it make a difference if im from the same country as Heath Ledger?
Apr.18 at 11:48 am
Hursty says:
fu(kers!
Apr.18 at 11:48 am
RV says:
testing…
Apr.18 at 11:49 am
RV says:
I’m tired of all these cookie cutter previews around the web, this one is definitely refreshing, good stuff
Apr.18 at 11:51 am
RV says:
as for Utah-hou, i’m surprised there’s no mention of utah’s road record, thats the biggest reason why hou CAN win 4 games against them, Hayes only fits on certain teams, so he’s borderline nbdl, but every team has room for guys like Landry and Harries, both can jump out the gym, finish with or without contact, rebound well and stay within their roles
Apr.18 at 11:56 am
Hursty says:
Landry can dunk good too.(being simple RV)
Apr.18 at 12:01 pm
Allenp says:
On the dynasty comment. What I find interesting is that folks refer to Bird’s Celtics as a dynasty, but not the Spurs. I find that interesting. After all, Bird’s teams won fewer rings than the Spurs and also never one a back to back title. Just something one of my friends pointed out to me that made me think.
Apr.18 at 12:02 pm
DP says:
How many Houston fans are in the building right now? That is all we are talking about for the moment.
Apr.18 at 12:03 pm
TADOne says:
Just because Vince compared Denver to Wu-Tang, i’m rooting for the Nuggets to take the whole damn thing.
Apr.18 at 12:03 pm
RV says:
DP, Yao hurt the rockets as much as he helped them last yr, its just a bad matchup with utah’s forwards/centers. I think they can play better D this yr (and they have been better during the season) against utah, Scola just needs to do his thing and get 18 and 9 every game, which is very possible. Its cliche to say “they just need to hit shots to win”, but for the rockets its the simple truth. They’re not the type of team that’s gonna lose even when they shoot well
Apr.18 at 12:05 pm
DP says:
Spurs are a dynasty, and I really hate saying that statement. I just hope that Nash gets his mind right and that Robert “Knock a motha f*cker out” Horry plays a couple games. That would be some real tension then.
Apr.18 at 12:06 pm
Hursty says:
DP.Frequents are myself RV and Nick for sure. Missing anyone?
Thing is, we (usually I) post a whole lot more than others. Since BET is gone and Tad is already in the 2nd round…
Apr.18 at 12:08 pm
DP says:
I agree with you RV, but you know without Skp for two games is really going hurt them. He took a load of Tracy’s back and his abilty to knock down the 3 pointer was uncanny. Who is going to start in his place, damn what is that kid’s name from Oregon? never mind, I just remembered they have Bobby Jackson. play wit it.
Apr.18 at 12:09 pm
RV says:
DP, i think everyone knows about the spurs, lakers, dallas, suns, etc. Its what everyone usually talks about, here and around the web, tv, etc. I feel like I have to point out things about Houston because they don’t get the same exposure. Outside of Houston everyone thinks this is rockets 2007 all over again, minus Yao, and its not. Its a different team,, different style, different mindset. That may not mean they’ll beat Utah, but when i hear “okur is gonna kill them” and “boozer is going to go off on them again” , i realize people don’t know there’s a difference this yr.
Apr.18 at 12:10 pm
DP says:
yeah I hear you Hursty. Thing is I thought about leaving SLAMonline for a little while but I have decided to stay for the playoffs. Once summer hits though, it is off to start my own blog which is in the works now. play wit it.
Apr.18 at 12:12 pm
Hursty says:
DP- Aaron Brooks
Apr.18 at 12:12 pm
DP says:
yeah, we really didn’t show any respect to the Rockets until the win streak did we, RV?
Apr.18 at 12:12 pm
RV says:
Not having Rafer may actually be a blessing in disguise, he either goes for 15 and 7 shooting well, or he’s 2 of 10, lately he’s been the latter, he’s very streaky, and since last yr he’s been the one guy that has the most impact on whether we in or lose (yes more than tmac). We’ll definitely miss his ability to set up the O and composure, but when he shoots badly it overshadows everything and everyone else.
Apr.18 at 12:13 pm
DP says:
Brooks! that’s right. kids gone be alright with a couple more years of exp.
Apr.18 at 12:17 pm
Hursty says:
cool dude. make sure you give me the link. jhurst@live.com.au
Apr.18 at 12:18 pm
RV says:
LOL, i knew i should have added something else to that post, i’m not complaining about their lack of exposure, its different than lack of respect, i understand why they’re not talked about, they’re not interesting, not troubled, at least not on the court, i’m just trying to point out some key differences from last yr, maybe it’ll change some perspectives, i expect close to the same results as last yr, but i think the series will have a different mood/feeling.
Apr.18 at 12:19 pm
RV says:
and just one more word about the Rockets: Novak.
Apr.18 at 12:20 pm
Hursty says:
skip didnt knife that guys neck. maybe that was the headline to make us more troubled?
Apr.18 at 12:22 pm
TADOne says:
When did Rockets fans take over the comments? Is this a virus?
Apr.18 at 12:24 pm
DP says:
One more word about the Magic:Reddick.
Apr.18 at 12:26 pm
RV says:
reddick to the rockets next yr
Apr.18 at 12:26 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Rafer is suspended because of?
Looking forward to Boozer vs. Scola, the Argie is smart. No matter Jazz in 5 (maybe 6).
Apr.18 at 12:27 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Reddick is the virus.
Apr.18 at 12:27 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
The Duke-stud to NBA-dud virus.
Apr.18 at 12:28 pm
DP says:
I’m the takeover buddy. at least for the playoffs.
Apr.18 at 12:29 pm
DP says:
The suns just signed Linston Johnson. go mayne!
Apr.18 at 12:29 pm
Hursty says:
no suspension. hamstring injury, out for 1 and 1/2 weeks = 2 games minimum.
Apr.18 at 12:29 pm
RV says:
Tad, i think it just means rockets’ fans picked basketball over school……i’m dangerously avoiding studying for my finals, as i’m sure nick is as well, and Hursty, does Australia have finals?
Apr.18 at 12:30 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Thx, Heath.
Apr.18 at 12:31 pm
RV says:
i dont see it going 6, either its a near sweep (going either way), or a 7 gamer (going either way)
Apr.18 at 12:32 pm
TADOne says:
Glad ya’ll got your priorities straight. Ya’ll do realize the games don’t start till Saturday, right?
Apr.18 at 12:32 pm
TADOne says:
“Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to f*ck with!”
The Nuggets, not so much.
Apr.18 at 12:33 pm
RV says:
exactly Tad, that’s the sad part…..my finals end around game 7, thats the saddest part…for me
Apr.18 at 12:34 pm
DP says:
I want Rockets to win but the Jazz don’t lose at home. At that is a freakin fact that cannot be ignored.
Apr.18 at 12:35 pm
RV says:
Not ignoring it DP, but last time i checked the Jazz are only getting 3 games at home
Apr.18 at 12:36 pm
DP says:
I’m kind of a redman sort of guy and not a RZA.
Apr.18 at 12:38 pm
RV says:
Its little stuff like that which i’m trying to point out, its not as clear cut as the jazz active roster being better on paper than Houston, the jazz are a great home team, but the rockets are a great road team, houston is good home team, and utah isnt a great road team, who knows how big of a role that will play, but it will be a factor
Apr.18 at 12:41 pm
RV says:
Lakers better hope the nuggest don’t decide to play D for even one quarter or else they’ll get sent home, during the season the lakers won all 3 games, but the lakers had to score like 116 every game to win, they couldn’t stop denver from scoring
Apr.18 at 12:42 pm
TADOne says:
DP: I love Redman, but you definitely need some RZa in your life. Oh, and ya’ll got the Jazz Jekyll and Hyde act on the road coming to H-Town, so you may be able to jump on them in the first two games. That is your only chance. Too bad Rafer isn’t playing.
Apr.18 at 12:43 pm
TADOne says:
Suns/Spurs will be classic. I’m leaning towards the Spurs in 7, but all bets are off if Amare goes into Beast mode.
Apr.18 at 12:44 pm
DP says:
that means win one away RV. which can be a b*tch for them since that can’t play on the road.
Apr.18 at 12:45 pm
DP says:
I more like a Kanye though. my swag is unbelievable. play wit it. DP out…………..
Apr.18 at 12:46 pm
RV says:
Houston Gets 4 home games and Utah 3, right? Utah ain’t sweeping so i’m sure they’ll get more than 2 opportunities at home
Apr.18 at 12:48 pm
RV says:
whats the injury update on spurs-suns, horry, bones, hill?
Apr.18 at 12:50 pm
TADOne says:
I heard Horry was out. Not sure about the other two.
Apr.18 at 12:50 pm
RV says:
and i think Kidd gained a lot of confidence in that last game where he shot lights out, not that he lacked confidence to begin with, but i think in the playoffs he’ll be the Kidd everyone expected.
Apr.18 at 12:51 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Classic for sure Suns in 7, Shaq being the difference. No matter how everybody wrote him of, the big kahuna still can be decisive. Duncan is NOT comfortable with Shaq guarding him or lurking nearby.
Apr.18 at 12:53 pm
TADOne says:
Yeah, but what Kidd did YOU expect? Other than the last game, Kidd has played exactly how I expected him to with Dallas, which is subpar.
Apr.18 at 12:57 pm
Tomas says:
i agree with every pick except for houston vs jazz…no doubt that utah will advance from that matchup…Lakers 2008 NBA CHAMPIONS
Apr.18 at 12:58 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Agree TAD but subpar or not, Kidd still is a member of the heavysack-club and it’s still the members of this club who wins the series for teams. Paul will mos def get his, but I think Kidd will be posting him up for 7 games which could spell (foul)trouble for CP. Mavs in 7.
Apr.18 at 12:58 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
I like the new font.
Apr.18 at 12:59 pm
RV says:
Tad, whatver the hype was, what the people who backed the kidd trade expected
Apr.18 at 1:00 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Isn’t Fat Hotboy missing today?
Apr.18 at 1:00 pm
TADOne says:
I actually have the Hornets in 7, but would not be terribly surprised if the Mavs take it, but it will not be because of Kidd. I think Jason Terry is the x-factor in that series. If he plays well, the Mavs will take it in 7.
Apr.18 at 1:12 pm
RV says:
Bonzi is the x factor for NO
Apr.18 at 1:19 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Mr. Brown cannot read this. Please insert various stat lines and number comparisons to validate any points you have made. Otherwise this entire things is pure spectulation.. not based on “facts”.
Apr.18 at 1:30 pm
Michael says:
I’ve never really been a T-mac fan, but I’m rooting fro the Rockets this year if only for T-macs mental health.
Apr.18 at 1:35 pm
RV says:
and if y’all think us 3 rocket fans are bad, the guys on clutchcity.net were giving hell to Scola yesterday because he was spotted at chuck e cheese…. “why is he not focusing on the game”, “why is he eating fatty foods”…”why is he not home resting”..
Apr.18 at 4:03 pm
Myles Brown says:
75% of Fluxland comments have to do with me instead of the work above. 61.2% of me doesn’t understand it, but 99.9% of me could give a f*ck what he thinks anyway. Get a life.
Apr.18 at 4:16 pm
TADOne says:
Nice Myles.
Apr.18 at 4:39 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Looks like you got my email, Mr. Brown.
Your stats are way off btw.. I wouldn’t give you 75%.. that’s for Russ…and 61.2% of you doesn’t understand anything, let alone me. At least I have a chance at getting a life, where as you have 0% . Step away from the charts and algorithms NerdBoy.
Apr.18 at 8:17 pm
SOUSS says:
Bobby Jackson is the type of cat to hit dudes over the head with Belvedere bottles in VIP. Deke’s from Africa, he’s hard. LOL funniest line of the year
Apr.18 at 11:28 pm
Tone says:
this piece was top notch vince. hilarious, sharp, and 100% true. great insight!
Apr.19 at 1:04 am
Jason says:
I seen a comment in another section that says Vince stays hating on the Nuggets and I beleive them. Vince, your hate for the Nuggets is a little too strong and you have been doing it all season long. You have been throwing Iverson under the bus whenever you can along with that team.You have about 3 lines as to why “the Nuggets are dope” and a whole novel about why they’re not. Give me a break already. Also, your man crush you have on CP3 is more then apperent..you like him…we get it. Lakers, Mavs, Spurs and Jazz out the first round.
Apr.19 at 7:24 am
jk_light says:
Did he really say something positive about Dirk???Never thought that would happen. I wanna see Dirk and Kobe in the Conference Finals cause they get the most hate.
Apr.19 at 6:41 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Yo vince! i liked tha Wu-Tang/RZA analogy but other than that…F*ck u! O and… 50 WINS!