Right, happened to catch Game 5 Nets vs Pistons Eastern conference Semis.
What a game. Detroit's Chauncy Billups hit a dicey 3-pointer from almost halfcourt to force the first overtime. That and two more overtimes later, the Nets finally triumphed 127-120 but not until making this one a classic playoff game to remember.
Saw some reserves playing the best game of their short careers, Jason Kidd with a bloodied nose, crazy fouling-out and yeah hoping for more games like these.
The unthinkable happend. Lakes avenge last year's series defeat. A year ago, at the same time in the same building, Spurs had sent Lakers packing for the summer. Lakers came back and returned the favor.
Trailing Spurs 0-2, they become only the 8th team in NBA history to come back and win the series by winning the next four games. What a feat it has been. They upped their defensive scheme and Spurs had trouble scoring in the last two games, espcially in 4th quarters.
Tony Parker who?
Kobe Bryant 26 pts (12 in 4th quarter)
Shaq: 17 points, 19 rebounds and 5 blocks.
[thumb=H]shaq111340_7947293.JPG[/thumb]
Who's world is this? Over here baby, Hello!
Oh the final score was Lakers 88- Spurs 76.
I want to see Lakers vs. Sac Kings in the Conference Finals!
Lakers deserve to be champs. trailing 2-0 and coming back from behind and taking the series in 5 games is something.
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
HEY HEY HEY
GOOD BYEEEEEE! 
I said Lakers in 6 and was spot on! The Lakers didn’t start playing until Game 3, especially defensively. Though, the element of surprise may have shook the Spurs’ generally shakable confidence. Champions rise to the occasion when things aren’t going well, and the Lakers proved just how much of a championship team they are in the face of a red hot Spurs team. Congrats to the Lakers on becoming only the 8th team in history to come back and win a playoff series after being down 0-2. Last time Bulls acheieved this feat in 1993, trailing 2 games to none, when they won 4 games in a row. Is there any doubt how Phil motivate his team?
Shaq was dominant in that game. Not big scoring numbers, but he was really a gigantic presence under the basket. He blocked 5 shots and changed countless others. Shaq looks as good or better than he did in 2002. He has proved it with his tremendous defense and rebounding this postseason, to go along with 20 ppg on some ridiculously high FG%. Maybe his decline isn’t as imminent as many people think.
Oh wait, did I say Maybe?
The desparation of Spurs became evident when Tim Ducan took a shot for 3-pointer. 
More to that, they started hacking Shaq. Who else hack Shaq than his former team-mater Robert Horry; and he got the treatment from the L.A. fans. Shaq both freebies went through, and Kobe put up the exclamation slam dunk to end the season for defending champs. BANG CODE X!
L.A. quite simply proved they were the better team over all. Shaq-Kobe regained their dominance as a duo. PJ proved his geniusness again with his adjustments on TD and Parker. Their supporting casts fell apart, while LA’s rose. Has there ever been a coach who has gotten more out of its roleplayers? And the biggest em’ of all, PJ said we’ll triple/quadraple team T.D because we know his cast can’t shoot, and he was right. 30% shooting in Spurs elimination game is a disgrace and humiliating! Credit to L.A’s D, it was fantastic.
My Love For The Glove:
Thank you Gary Payton for convincing Phil Jackson after Game 2 that the team needs to play team defense to beat the Spurs. Thank you Gary Payton for telling Derek Fisher (independent of the coaching staff) in Game 5 to cut low for the final shot. Thank you Gary Payton for shoving Kevin Willis after he tried to take out Kobe’s knee.
Thank you so much Gary Payton.
P.S. I’m not taking anything away from Malone, Shaq, Kobe, Phil Jackson or anyone else. I’m merely listing the many reasons Laker fans should be praising the guy after all the undeserved flack he received after Game 2.
Oh, and special thanks to Rasho for letting Shaq utterly dominate him.
Side note: What kind of player uses someone else’s knee as a support to lift himself up from the floor? Willis didn’t respond to Kobe’s immediate verbal reaction, making me think he did it on purpose. What a pussy!
How Things Wrapped Up At The STAPLES Center
[thumb=H]LAS107051523_lower10122_3870703.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]fishfans10122_3870703.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]fishfans110122_3870703.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]LAS104051523_lower10122_3870703.JPG[/thumb]
got Fish? Actor Edward Norton and friends show support for playoff hero Derek Fisher
[thumb=H]kobeonhorry10122_2152320.JPG[/thumb]
Kobe on Mr. Big Shot Horry: "See, I've improved my game. You can't stop me. You can't cantained me!"
[thumb=H]gloveparker10122_9899785.JPG[/thumb]
The Glove to Parker: "Kiddo, if I can't get the ball, neither can you!"
[thumb=H]tonyparker10122_4708856.JPG[/thumb]
Mailman to Parker: "You got the ring last year without struggle. Now, it's time for you to realized you ain't getting this year!
[thumb=H]popsjack10122_3806490.JPG[/thumb]
**Pops to refs: “That was goaltending, cheaters.”
Jack Nicholson: “Ah, the usual cry of refs letting Lakers to win it all. Nothing new. I’ve heard it all.”**
[thumb=H]timmay10122_7459084.JPG[/thumb]
“Hey Pops, can you send some ballers who can knock down the shots?”
[thumb=H]tony10122_6335586.JPG[/thumb]
“Where did my game go?” 
[thumb=H]theglove10122_2033239.JPG[/thumb]
The Glove to Willis: I maynot be strong but I got the balls. Do you have the balls? Do ya do ya?
[thumb=H]breakawaydunk10122_5567482.JPG[/thumb]
BOO-YEAH! “You can’t stop me!”
[thumb=H]spursloss10122_7604530.JPG[/thumb]
Sigh… What went wrong?
[thumb=H]happykobe10122_6298678.JPG[/thumb]
Give it up, Boys!
[thumb=H]labench10122_6298678.JPG[/thumb]
Oh man! That's crazy
[thumb=H]diesel10122_5007380.JPG[/thumb]
Diesel lasts foreva..foreva
[thumb=H]popsKobe10122_5478717.JPG[/thumb]
*San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, center, embraces the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant *
[thumb=H]shobe10122_4684093.JPG[/thumb]
Shaquille O'Neal, left, shakes hands with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo as Kobe Bryant, back right, shakes hands with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
[thumb=H]kobenatalia110122_8226074.JPG[/thumb]
Kobe kisses his daughter Natalia
[thumb=H]kobenatalia10122_5007380.JPG[/thumb]
Kobe Bryant answers questions while his daughter, Natalia, holds up a reporter's tape recorder for him, at the press conference
is Malone gonna retire next year? I know he came to the lakers for the ring which he will get very likely. so, has he said if he's gonna call it quits after this season?
Kobe is also looking to bolt next year, right guys?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by sambrialian: *
is Malone gonna retire next year? I know he came to the lakers for the ring which he will get very likely. so, has he said if he's gonna call it quits after this season?
Kobe is also looking to bolt next year, right guys?
[/QUOTE]
The passing of Karl's mother has caused him to re-evaluate his own life and he will probably let this be his last year as their are more important things in his life than being the leading scorer in NBA history. I would be surprised if he didn't retire. Maybe, he'd like to taste another championship ring(that is if L.A wins this year). And if he does stay, Payton will stay.
Kobe will test FA in the summer, however, L.A. is the franchise who offers him big deal than others, therefore, I think, he will reamin Laker 4 Life
I hate the Lakers. With that said…and outta my system.. now I can write
Fisher’s last minute “lucky” shot changed the whole series. The dagger pierced through the hearts of Spur fans leaving them stunned…never in the history of NBA anyone has made a shot with 0.4 on the clock..not even his airness MJ. It is very hard to put a game like that behind you and move on. Going to Staple’s center and winning one there was a monumental task….Tony Parker showed that he is a 22 yr old after all….not to mention that Phil’s coaching team did a good job on him and Duncan after their early loses. If Horry and Turk had lived up to the expectations offensively things might have been different. ..but that’s in the past now.
Who can beat the Lakers now…Indiana or Wolves. God damn it!
Minnesota 83, Sacramento 80
Garnett with 32 points and 21 rebounds in game 7 is exactly what was expected of him as the league's MVP. For the 3rd straight year in a row Sac Queens lost in the 7th game. Sorry Sac fans, they are never gonna win a championship anytime soon. I wont be surprised if their team splinters and coach is fired over the long, long summer.
I was hoping for an all-California Western Conference finals series and another chance for the Lakers to remind the Kings whos State it is :D But at the same time Im happy to see that all 3 Texas teams (Spurs, Rockets and Dallas) got their butts whooped.
T'Wolves do have a chance to win the series vs. Lakers since they do have the home-court advantage and game 7 will be in Minnesnowta. Yet, I still like Lakers chances not just cos its my home team.
I am glad Minnesota made it to the Finals. This was 1st franchise 7th game and they won.
Remember, L.A stole their team in the 60s? :D The Minneapolis fans will see their old team(Minneapolis Lakers) facing their team(Minnesota Timberwolves). The Finals couldn't have been better! The fans at Minneapolis are good. At least, they haven't booed Kobe for all the stuff he has been going through.....unlike others.
With that said, I like Lakers in 6.
Game 1: Lakers
Game 2: Wolves
Game 3: Lakers
Game 4: Lakers
Game 5: Wolves
Game 6: Lakers
Cassell is not going to cause as many problems as you might think. He is not nearly as quick as Parker, and Payton plays the perfect type of defense to contain him (over screens)
Malone is a lot better defender than Webber. KG is going to have to be shooting a lot of turnaround 16 footers because Malone will easily push him off the blocks. Look for KG to get the ball stripped a lot.
Hassell is not going to do anything to stop Kobe. How many "Kobe stoppers" must get torched before people recognize that no one can stop him? Hassell will now guard a player who can actually create his own shot and do a WHOLE LOT more.
Spree is the only Wolve that could cause some problems. If he gets hot from the outside he could hurt the Lakers.
The Wolves have no one that can pull Shaq from the basket. All of their centers have no offensive game, and none of them can do an even respectable job on him defensively.
Wally will do nothing in this series. George shut him down in the playoffs last year, and will do the same this year. Wally is way too slow.
Of course, the BIG 3 of Minnesota has the edge on all their positions, but not as lopsided as LA's. But they still got homecourt, and the BIG 3 is good enuff to squeak off 2 wins. Had they have Hudson and fully healthy Wally, I would've favored this series going into 7 Games.
The best thing about this series is LA can't just double-triple KG and force his cast to beat'em because unlike the Spurs, Timberwolves CAN shoot.
[thumb=H]KG18849_8070081.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]garnett1_355_04051918849_7711093.JPG[/thumb]
COME ON - KEVIN FREAKING GARNETT!
Before the start of the game - Doug Collins said if KG wants his 28th birthday bash - he gotta have his fingerprints all over the floor - well he just did that last night.
32 points, 21 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks, 4 steals and just 2 TOs on 52% shooting. Something like 16 or 18 points in the 4th quarter - including a clutch 3 pointer and huge steal in the waning minutes - All in the deciding Game 7 of the biggest game of his life - not to mention two monster swats on Brad Miller - one with 2.5 seconds left on the clock.
he’s been the best player in the league all throughout the year (and arguably last year as well) - I’ve always been a not-so-vocal member of the “Tim Duncan is better” camp - but this game has changed my opinion - at least as far as this year is concerned - a game like that with all the pressure in the world on you. To have a statline like that. Amazing - that three-pointer may have been the greatest shot of the season - i watched it on my DVR about six times after it happened.
[thumb=H]0519_Garnett_franchise18849_2167001.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]0519_Garnett18849_6066548.JPG[/thumb]
plust - he made his name into the elite of NBA’s greatest and franchise - congratulations to Kevin Garnett on the best game of his career and easily the most impressive of the playoff - that is what I’m talking about - MVP written all over it - Da Big Ticket. :k:
Last year when Chris Webber injured his leg against the Mavericks - my thought was, OK, Kings lost him for the rest of the series - i never thought that the injury would be something that would affect them(Kings) this year as well.
i m shocked at how Peja was even considered for MVP candidacy - he managed to score 8 points in 46 minutes on the court - the heart of this Sacramento team is Mike Bibby and Doug Christie. They were the ones knocking down big shots and hustling all over the court, forcing steals and jump balls - they have really impressed me.
onto Lakers-T'Wolves series - if Shaq stays on his toes - then the series shouldnt be too close from what i have seen from these teams. However - i dont think its at all out of line to think the T'Wolves could win this series - The interior weakness of the T'wolves will be exposed badly by a hungry Shaq.
Trent can't guard Kobe - i hope Flip let Spree to guard Kobe since he was very good against Bibby too.
i hope to see Kobe and Spree go on at each other - both wear # 8 jersery and are my favorite players. :)
NBA Conference Finals Schedule
**Eastern Conference Finals **
**(3) Detroit PISTONS vs. (1) Indiana PACERS **
1. Sat, May 22 – at Indiana, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
2. Mon, May 24 – at Indiana, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
3. Wed, May 26 – at Detroit, 8:30 pm EDT (ESPN)
4. Fri, May 28 – at Detroit, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
5.* Sun, May 30 – at Indiana, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
6.* Tue, Jun 1 – at Detroit, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
7.* Thu, Jun 3 – at Indiana, 8:00 pm EDT (ESPN)
**Western Conference Finals **
**(2) Los Angeles LAKERS vs. (1) Minnesota TIMBERWOLVES**
1. Fri, May 21 – at Minnesota, 9:00 pm EDT (TNT)
2. Sun, May 23 – at Minnesota, 8:30 pm EDT (TNT)
3. Tue, May 25 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (TNT)
4. Thu, May 27 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (TNT)
5.* Sat, May 29 – at Minnesota, 8:30 pm EDT (TNT)
6.* Mon, May 31 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (TNT)
7.* Wed, Jun 2 – at Minnesota, 9:00 pm EDT (TNT)
***** denotes if Necessary
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
i hope to see Kobe and Spree go on at each other - both wear # 8 jersery and are my favorite players. :)
[/QUOTE]
Yeah..this would be a good match up. First game is important for the Wolves to make a statement. They should make the most of the home court advantage. Looking forward to it!
Eastern conference finals should be interesting too. Both Wallace are playing great ball!
P.T thanks for the schedules and pictures...lets hear you say Go Wolves Go!!
I was disappointed by Jason Kidd's performance yesterday. He didnt even score a single bucket. Pacers - Pistons would a good matchup in the east.
Cant wait for Game 1, Lakers/Wolves tonight 6PM. TNT. I wanna hear Barkley's prediction on the series now. He had counted out the Lakers vs. Spurs.
First game was just too easy for the lakers. With Casselle on the bench its not gonna be easy. Looks like a clean sweep :-(
YES - WOLVES are back in the series - Fayz eat your heart out!
If Wolves able to steal one game at L.A. - then this series will have more twists and turns.
but that's a big IF!