it seems the LA - Minnesota series will have a game every other day. Karl Malone might be suspended for Game 3 and Kobe might miss Game 4 so the Wolves will have a chance to steal one in LA. I still think LA wins in the end but the compressed schedule might favor the younger Wolves.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by TUMS: *
it seems the LA - Minnesota series will have a game every other day. Karl Malone might be suspended for Game 3 and Kobe might miss Game 4 so the Wolves will have a chance to steal one in LA. I still think LA wins in the end but the compressed schedule might favor the younger Wolves.
[/QUOTE]
Malone was not suspended. He was fined by the league tho. He will be suspended for one game if he commits another flagrant foul. Thats the rule. The foul he comitted was not flagrant in my opinion and Karl's past reputation preceded him in this case.
Lakers won Game 3, 100 - 89.
Game 4 is on Thursday and you can bet that Kobe will NOT miss that Game. He may come back from Colorado and have another 40-pt game. We shall see :>
That was BS fined. How come it's a flagrant foul? My my..Stu needs a eye checkup. Malone was fighting for backscreen which resulted in hitting Martin, who btw, has height of Malone's shoulder. What about Fisher gets a black eye from Sprewell and an elbow from Wally Szcerbiak? Shessh!
I'm enjoying every minute of this postseason. Shaq has proven that he is the best player in the league, barring FT which he usually makes it when matters most. He has been a monster in the playoffs.
KG disappeared in the 2nd half of the game. Malone did a good job of shutting him down.
1st half was impressive. The Glove played the most amazing basketball we've seen all year from him in the first quarter! Devean George was great in the last three minutes of the half. Shaq and Malone both played pretty well. Diesel can get great position whenever he wants and he's having one of those games where he wants to dominate on the defensive end of the court as well. Kobe played a real relaxed game. He let GP and Karl kinda get going early. Malone sure had a lot of open looks at this game, but most of the time he elected to pass off and didn't take the shot when he should have.
Wally has grown up! He comes in the game dropping bombs from everywhere. Coming off the bench has taken pressure off of him. Last season he couldn't buy a bucket. Now he's lighting it up. I'm impressed! Damn Phil, let George guard him!
As for Kobe's courtdate situation, I never understood why the media was saying Kobe could possibly miss Game 4 which he won't. According to the courts, this hearing is mostly scheduling-related and not really anything to do with the specifics of the trial. Kobe could be back a couple hours before tip off.
Hopefully, when Kobe is back in time, Game 4 is in the bag. Kobe is possessed on court days, for whatever reason.
Kobe’s crossover on Spree - WOW - that was one of the sweetest crossovers ever - it was like 3 fakes in one move. Gotta stop drinking before you come to games Latrell. 
- ankles need to be re-taped - tho Kobe took too many dribbles and allowed Spree to get back up and contest the shot - release and get the open layup.
Wolves started hacking Shaq - that’s out of character - i didn’t see it coming - hell even Larry Bird did that to Shaq in 2000 - why not Flip?
…and Crawford didn’t call the foul because his contract only allows for 20 tilted calls a game - Fisher and Wally looked like they were gonna go to blows until Wally put his hand up - Sam showed his courage - he was out there to help Wolves win but his back spams kept him down - he was great on offense but wasn’t mobile on defence - i don’t know how long this series will go without Sam playing full game.
Kevin needs to step up - he wasn’t nearly as big of a factor on the boards as he usually is - and absolutely refuses to play near the basket…
The TNT audio and video is terrible for past games - my goodness - stay in the studio if this is going to keep happening guys. everyone wants to see good production.
**A Finals Top 10 **
http://www.nba.com/nbabuzz/letterman_040526.html
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After taping a basketball summit at the NBA Store, the legends helped Letterman with his Top 10 list.
May 26, 2004 – Who better to know what it takes to reach the Finals … and the obstacles that stop a Finals journey in its track … than the men who have been there done that? So it was with that in mind that The Late Show with David Letterman invited 10 NBA legends to give up the Top 10 reasons for Finals failure. Without further ado, the …
**TOP 10 SIGNS YOUR TEAM ISN’T GOING TO WIN THE NBA FINALS: **
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Oscar Robertson – Owner won’t pay for team to travel to away games.
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Robert Parish – Coach used timeout to go get Spike Lee’s autograph.
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Rick Barry – Your teammate spends whole game guarding the ref.
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George Gervin – Power forward has been out two months with the hiccups.
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Willis Reed – During the season you lost to the Lakers … and the Laker Girls.
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Walt Frazier – Your team logo is a guy asleep in a hammock.
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Clyde Drexler – Much of the 24 seconds is spent on uncontrollable sobbing.
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Bill Walton – No one can dunk without using a step ladder.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Your best player is named Shaquille Wasserstein.
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Bill Russell – Many nights you have more groin pulls than points.
It wasn't the same energy last evening but it brought Lakers within one game to close out the series. As Laker captain Foxy said, "We can see the light to the Finals" :) Nice to see Fox making some plays again.
It was yet another chapter in Kobe's book. When he exploded, TimberWolves didn't have an answer. Driving from the baseline, Wally is following him. Kobe drove into the line, Micheal initiated the contact, Kobe flipped the ball...and BOOM! The basket counts and the foul!
Thankfully, Fisher answered my call in terms of energy. He raised our game off the bench.
Shaq seemed to have a lot of spring in his legs and rebounded with authority. Overall good game by the Laker team.
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It's Shobe's Team!
Re Officiating: This was definitely one of the poorer officiated games of the playoffs. Funny, because it started out very well officiated and then went totally downhill, which isn't usually the case for poorly officiated games like this. It started going downhill when the body contact on both sides stopped being called altogether. Didn't matter who had the ball, refs decided to let players play physical. Then, all of the sudden the refs decided KG wasn't a superstar for the 2 or 3 possessions he actually drove to the basket.
On the Twolves side, Wally got away with couple very ticky tacky fouls; Fox on a pump fake, can’t remember the other one (for whatever reason, Wally got more respect than KG). KG still got away with at least one hook, maybe two, but that’s to be expected. And the Lakers were T'ed up more than usual (4 times, all which were when LA was leading), which leads me to believe the refs felt bad that they had fudged calls against the Twolves and decided to give some back to them by simply calling T’s on LA that they usually let slide. For example, Payton being T’ed up for talking smack to KG and Wally? Phil T'ed up for just asking a Q? What rubbish!
Someone needs to tell Slava that its a hands off situation with KG, afterall he is the MVP. Shame on you Slava. That was bad sportmanship!
Overall, officiating slant was in the Lakers’ favor, but not a lot more than it usually is for a home court team in the playoffs. Home teams in the playoffs have been getting the benefit of the doubt from officials for the last decade, so this wasn't a terribly surprising turn of events. Sadly, it came at a crucial juncture of this series.
Also, to put things into context, the Lakers overall haven't gotten more calls than any other championship team in the last 20 years, which includes the 90's Bulls, 2-peat Pistons, 80's Lakers-Celtics, etc. I mean really, who doesn't remember how many calls Jordan used to get during the dual 3-peats? Arguably the most dramatic shot of Jordan's career was a blatant offensive foul (98 Finals push off on Byron Russell).
NBA referees are by far the worst of the big three sports - with declining ratings - maybe something will change soon...
NFL - instant replay has effectively neutered officials on everything but pass interference calls.
MLB - the fear of questec has reined in umpire favoritism. - not coincidentally, Greg Maddux's ERA has jumped by about 2.00 runs.
NBA - no technology to assist the refs (except instant replay on buzzer beaters). Players such as Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant will frequently intimidate officials by staring them down after missing shots - the referees are constantly running to get into position.
anyhow - KG can't beat Lakers by himself alone - that being said - i think Wolves season ends on Saturday. :(
T-Wolves #1 off-season priority:
Trading Kandi, Earvin Johnson for a draft pick and some contracts - hopefully Wolves will get through NBA Finals next year.....
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Game 4 is on Thursday and you can bet that Kobe will NOT miss that Game. He may come back from Colorado and have another 40-pt game. We shall see :>
[/QUOTE]
Im not in favor of instant replay for NBA. Its a fast paced sport and instant reply will just ruin the game. Leave it upto the players to bitch and moan about any call that the refree made.
Anyway, Lakers can smell the NBA finals and Championship now. Only a matter of time. There is no way that Wolves are going to win 3 in a row vs. Lakers.
Well, Kobe didnt score 40-pts but it was close enough. He scored 31 pts, 18 in the 2nd half. Shaq D with 19 pts and 19 rebounds. Lakers win 92 -85.
Lets give it up for our boys.
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Kobe Bryant, defended here by Kevin Garnett, electrified Staples Center in the third quarter.
(Lori Shepler / LAT)
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Im not in favor of instant replay for NBA. Its a fast paced sport and instant reply will just ruin the game. Leave it upto the players to bitch and moan about any call that the refree made.
[/QUOTE]
I disagree 5abs, humbly of course :D. I'm a big proponent of technology for all sports. if the game is as fast paced as Bball, it makes even more sense to have instant replays doesn't it? will make the game more fair. what is your reasoning for not wanting instant replays?
anyway, congrats to Lakers fan. realistically speaking they were always going to be unstoppable given that they have four superstars for starters and a great backup in Fisher.
And so..
- LA Lakers 97, Minnesota 88
- Minnesota 89, LA Lakers 71
- LA Lakers 100, Minnesota 89
- LA Lakers 92, Minnesota 85
- Minnesota 98, LA Lakers 96
- LA Lakers 96, Minnesota 90
Pakistani Tiger :k:
Bandoostaa :D I knew the script. It's Hollywood Baby!
WHAT A RUSH!
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Oh man, this close out wasn't easy as I expected. 1st half was a different story. Lakeshow were called for 10+ fouls in the 2nd qtr, and Wolves spent whole time on the foul line. Fans were booing officiating at the end of 1st half. This might be the first time ever the crowd responded with anger against refs. There were some calls that could have gone either way.
With Shaq and Kobe in foul trouble, Payton and George can't knock down the open lock shots, Fish with sprained ankle, ** Kareem Rush arrived on the NBA radar.** Everytime he had the possession, he didn't put the ball on the floor, knock down SIX 3s in a row! His stroke is as sweet as Michael Redd when he's hitting.
Slava Medvedenko showed up big also in the 4th qtr. He's more of P&R guy than knocking down 12 footers. Our roleplayers really stepped up for us when counted!
We've made the NBA FINALS for the 28th time in our franchise history. Let's see who comes out from the East. The Finals won't start before June 6th. Whoever Laker opponent is, they are well depth, defensive team, better than previous 5 years.
2004 Western Conference Champions - L.A. Lakers
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Holla Holla
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High Five for Kareem
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Kareem gets respect
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Round of Claps for Kareem Rush
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Shaq and Kobe were all smile
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Glove and Mailman took a moment to enjoy the Win
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Malone and Kobe embrace each other. Click here to read how their relationship turns from team-mate to best friends
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Kobe tips his hat to fans
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Kobe chats with Earnie Johnson, TNT host
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Kobe took a moment to celebrate win with his family
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Mr. Rush with Trophy
2004 Eastern Conference Champions - Detriot Pistons
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*Prince & Rip embrace each other *
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'Sheed celebrates his first trip to NBA Finals
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Ben Wallace holds up the Eastern Conf. trophy
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*Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars holds up the NBA Eastern Conference championship trophy *
**2004 NBA Finals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons **
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Game 1: Sun, Jun 6 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 2: Tue, Jun 8 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 3: Thu, Jun 10 – at Detroit, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 4: Sun, Jun 13 – at Detroit, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 5:* Tue, Jun 15 – at Detroit, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 6:* Thu, Jun 17 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
Game 7:* Sun, Jun 20 – at LA Lakers, 9:00 pm EDT (ABC)
*** denotes** If Necessary
Yes Sir, it all comes down to Motown vs Hollywood.
Point Guard: Gary Payton vs Chauncey Billups
This is intersting because once again Payton must play a point guard who loves to go pick and roll. Payton could have trouble posting up, and so could Billups.
Like Payton, Chauncey struggles to shoot sometimes, however, both players have asserted themselves to create opportunities for their team. Both players are leading dimes leaders. This will be an interesting matchup.
Edge: Even
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs Richard Hamilton
Kobe will start out guarding Hamilton and definitely be on Rip at the end of games. Kobe will fare better than Artest because he is quicker and can get through screens better. Hamilton will struggle guarding Kobe because no one can guard him.
However, I'm amazed to see how Richard has improved his game this postseason. It seems like Jordan really helped his game more than Kwame's. It makes sense. MJ knows the guard position better than anyone and it shows in the growth of Richard Hamilton. He's got the best medium range jumper in the league. He's made some big clutch baskets throughout the playoff too. Quickly becoming a star. Ive liked him ever since I watched him and Kahlid El Amin beat Duke in the National Championship about 5 years ago.
Edge: Kobe Bryant(just because Rip is in the learning process whereas Kobe has been through crunch times of the postseason).
Small Foward: Devean George vs Tayshaun Prince
These are the X factors. Both have had their moments in the playoffs and other times both have disappeard. Some might say it's a toss up, and they couldn't be wrong but Prince has shared better playoff moments this postseason.
Edge: Tayshaun Prince
Power Foward: Karl Malone vs Rasheed Wallace
Conventional wisdom says take 'Sheed who is younger and more athletic but his offense has been very inconsistent. While Malone has for the most part made his open shots and has guarded two MVP's quite well.
Edge: Karl Malone
Center: Shaquille O'Neal vs Ben Wallace
The best defensive player in the game versus the most dominant player in the game. Ben Wallace has been amazing in this series with his rebounding and blocking shots. I just love the way he rebounds the ball.
Like Shaq, he struggles at the foul line as well but he doesn't have offensive game as much as Shaq has. This seems like a mismatch but the small guys seem to give Shaq problems like Rodman used to do. But on the other hand we are talking about 100+ pounds and 6'2. I'll go with my Big Boi.
Edge: Shaq
Bench: Lakers vs Pistons
Kareem Rush, Slava Medvedenko, and Derek Fisher have all stepped up in this postseason for the Lakeshow. The Pistons, on the other hand, have no one anybody fears off the bench. Now that doesn't mean anything because they do come in and play effective defense but if you look at the Pacer-Piston series, the Pacers made a lot of runs against the Piston bench.
Edge: Lakers
Coach: Phil Jackson vs Larry Brown
This is Larry Brown's second trip to the NBA Finals in four years. He has been a great defensive coach for past two decades. Not taking anything away for Larry as a coach, but Phil's stats is enough to put him above Larry, by leaps and bounds.
Edge: Phil Jackson
NBA Finals Prediction
If the Lakers don't win the first 2 games at home, this series will go 7. The team that has the middle 3 games at home never wins all 3, so if Detroit can win 1 of the first 2, I think they will win 2 of their 3 home games. That means LA will go back home down 3-2. If the Lakers win the first 2 games, they will win in 6, as Detroit will still take 2 of 3 at home. This team isn't like the 2001 or 2002 Finals team that went on the road and dominated, they have proven that by their play in games 2 & 5 at Minneapolis. This team is more like the 2000 team. They are the better team, but don't always play their best for 4 quarters.
Most media types are saying that the Pistons don't have enough O to beat the Lakers, but I think they will put up more points than they did vs. the Pacers against the Lakers. Also, remember the Lakers have scored in the low 70's in 2 play-off victories this season. So Detroit could win games just by scoring in the 70-80 range. The Lakers have also had a problem with turnovers and giving up offensive boards, and that will play right in to the hands of the Pistons.
However, L.A has been invincible at homes, so I'll go ahead and say L.A to win first two games. The players know that each home game is necessary to win, brings close to Destiny. L.A. has the HCA throughout the series.
Since I am a Shaq fan, it will be interesting to see if Kobe trys to take over the offense to finally win a Finals MVP. I hope he does. The battle between him and Shaq to fill their stat line might be all these Finals offer if Detroit really has no shot because they can't score enough points. I hope guys like Fish, Kareem, George, Slava, Foxy, Payton, and Malone make sure Shaq gets his touches, as going to Shaq first and often is still the best way for the team to win. Hopefully Shaq will do his part, and make some throws, too.
If Malone and Payton really want a ring, and Shaq wants to get one for them, the Lakers should win in 6 Games(or less). That means L.A. win games 1 & 2. If they split the first 2 games, I think the series goes 7, and anything can happen then just because the Lakers let it get to 7 games.
Still, I believe it's a 6 Game series.
Game 1: Lakers
Game 2: Lakers
Game 3: Pistons
Game 4: Lakers
Game 5: Pistons
Game 6: Lakers
2004 NBA Finals Video Preview
Length: 1:39 Min
Size: 12.8 MB
Solution: 320x240
Bitrate: 1065 kbit/s
DOWNLOAD HERE:
I hope you guys like the stills, picturization and everything. 
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Yes Sir, it all comes down to Motown vs Hollywood.
[/QUOTE]
Im calling it Frotown vs. Showtown.
Last time these two met in NBA finals was in 1990 when Pistons ended the Lakers's Showtime era. Thats some 14 years ago and I had barely started watching this game.
Game 1 tonight on ABC.
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All Four One, One For All
The Bad Boys are back, Pistons take game one.
hahaha
WOOHOO
Pistons up 1.
lets hope they can take this baby all the way.
(though I'm not a pistions fan, but I truly hate the Lakers:p)