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261

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Disappointing loss! but Tim Duncan and the guys deserved the win and as Jack Nicholson said , the best teams always wins the 7-game series.

Lakers will be back next year, no question about that. Lakers have 5 or 6 free agents and they will fill in those spots and strengthen their weakness in power forward position over the off season. Plus, Phil, Kobe and Shaq will be back. And as long as these three are together on a team, Lakers are always contenders for the championship.

Had they won the 4th title, they would have been the first team since Boston Celtics to win 4 in a row.
[/QUOTE]

5Abi: You are smart kid, what the hell does Jack Nicholsin's opinion has to do with the realities of 7 game series.

Lakers might be back but so will SA, Kings and Dallas. Imagine the salary cap room after the Admiral leaves SA. They can go after Jermaine Oneal, then it is bye bye LA for a decade.

262

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Matsui: *
They can go after Jermaine Oneal, then it is bye bye LA for a decade.
[/QUOTE]

I don't think PACERS will trade their main guy with SPURS, would they?

As long as Phill Jackson is around, there's always a chance for Championship. He has been with LAKERS for four years, won 3 titles, lost 1 with 25 consecutive playoffs winning streak record, which speaks for it self.

Remember LAKERS eliminated Champs SPURS in 2000 in the Semis of the Western Conference and it was 'cause of Jackson's coaching. All credit to Phill Jackson. Dunno for sure but there has been news Jackson will step down and quit coaching. Also, Shaquille will join LAPD this year or next year. LAKERS faced key players injuries throughout the season. Jackson had kidney stone. Then, he had heart problem. Recently, Jackson lost his close fella Dave Bushharee. And to be honest, it wasn't even clear LAKERS would qualified for playoffs the way season 2003 started. But in the end LAKERS did, thanks for the performance by Kobe-Shaquille duo.

5Abi, Next year, damn right, LAKERS will be back definitely with some new faces, possibily with couple of new PGs.

263

gimme a break..Phil jackson has little to do with the success of the lakers. If you want to give credit to someone, give it to Jerry West or Mitch Kuptchak.

This whole aura around Phil jackson is silly. You give me Jordan and Pippen and Paxon and I will get you three championships. Same can be said for Kobe Shaq and roleplayers.

264

[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Matsui: *
gimme a break..Phil jackson has little to do with the success of the lakers. * If you want to give credit to someone, give it to Jerry West or Mitch Kuptchak.
[/quote]

While your statement is true on Jerry/Mitch but to say there's a lil contribution of Jackson for the success of LAKERS sounds lame.

265

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *

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Picture worth alot. :)

[/QUOTE]
No fourth! :-)

266

:rotfl:
Maybe next year!

267

PISTONS RULZ:dhimpak::dhimpak::dhimpak:

93-89…though Iverson tried his best, but still Chauncey Billups was there to defend his team.:k:

268

76ERS vs PISTONS

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Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups, left, and teammate Richard Hamilton celebrate their 93-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson reacts to a call.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson goes up for a shot against Detroit Pistons.

After Detroit rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime, Philadelphia failed to keep pace with the PISTONS in the OT session as PISTIONS wrapped up best of 7-Game series with 93-89, eliminating 76ERS from the playoffs. Allen Iverson tallied a game-high 38 points and Derrick Coleman added 14 points and 11 boards.

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Philadelphia 76ers head coach Larry Brown and assistant coach John Kuester, background, yell from the sidelines as 76ers unable to keep up with PISTONS.

Chauncey Billups had 3 hot treys in the OT session, gave PISTONS lead which last almost whole OT session. Prince and Okdur, two rookies, were in double-figure from the bench. 76ers actually led by as many as 16 pts in the 1st qtr, 8 pts in the 2nd qtr, 4 pts in the 3rd qtr, but still just couldn't get it done. Main difference was pts from the bench. Series wise, PISTONS' bench outclassed 76ERS. Having said that, you just can't bank the whole game on one guy i.e I.A. You can't play your main guy for 40 minutes and expect to win in the end. You need somebody to step up. That was the reason why 76ERS lost this series.

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Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups, left, drives around Philadelphia 76ers' Eric Snow.

From PISTONS, Richard Hamilton added 19 points and Corliss Williamson finished with 17 off the bench. Defence by Ben Wallace was amazing. 3 Blocks by him including 10 pts with 8 assists.

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Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace (3) comes down with the rebound.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson, left, passes the ball around Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace.

Detroit PISTONS will host New Jersey NETS in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday. I think PISTONS gotta chance to win this Eastern Conference Finals series as they hold home court advantage. Also, pts from the bench doesn't seems to stop whereas NETS scoring depth will be depend on how Kidd, Martin and Jefferson make buckets. Bench pts avg doesn't even comes near with PISTONS. More to that, Billups has recoverd from his ankle injury. So, there's a hope for PISTONS to be in the NBA Finals.

  • **NBA Playoffs 2003 - SEMI-FINALS Result :-

EASTERN CONFERENCE:**

Detriot PISTONS vs Philadelphia SIXERS - PISTONS won 4-2.

Boston CELTICS vs New Jersey NETS - **NETS won 4-0.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:**

  • Los Angeles LAKERS vs San Antonio SPURS - SPURS won 4-2.

  • Dallas MAVERICKS vs Sacramento KINGS - Series tied 3-3.

Faisal: LAKERS got 9 NBA Championship titles. :-D

269

Just thought I’d drop by to celebrate Lakers’ loss. :hula:

270

Its funny how some of the guppies were dormant throughout the season and came out of the woodworks at the end of the season to celebrate the Lakers loss :D Lakers love being hated cos it only acts as a fuel and motivation. If you live somewhere in Timbaktu and hate the Lakers, thats good news cos it means Lakers did make some kinda impact on the sport itself and you heard about it :D Everyone wants to beat em and fill in their shoes :D
I wonder what their home city's team was doing before the playoffs started? Long gone to fishing prolly :D
What Lakers have achieved in the past 3 years (won 3 in a row) is an accomplishment that speaks for itself. How many other teams besides the Bulls of MJ in recent history are there that won 3 in row.

271

Actually 2 of my home teams were top of the league during the entire seasons, Spurs and Mavericks. :D

272

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Its funny how some of the guppies were dormant throughout the season and came out of the woodworks at the end of the season to celebrate the Lakers loss :D Lakers love being hated cos it only acts as a fuel and motivation. If you live somewhere in Timbaktu and hate the Lakers, thats good news cos it means Lakers did make some kinda impact on the sport itself and you heard about it :D Everyone wants to beat em and fill in their shoes :D

I wonder what their home city's team was doing before the playoffs started? Long gone to fishing prolly :D

What Lakers have achieved in the past 3 years (won 3 in a row) is an accomplishment that speaks for itself. How many other teams besides the Bulls of MJ in recent history are there that won 3 in row.
[/QUOTE]

Well said 5Abi. :)

Oh yeah, just to let you know LAKERS are going to have meeting with Mitch today. Next year contract for Fisher, Kobe and Shaquille is confirmed. There's a possibility Madsen, Walker, Horry(who wants to re-settle in Houston, reason being away from his daughter) and Shaw won't be asked to come back.

273

KINGS vs MAVERICKS

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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki reacts as he made 3-point shot.

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Dallas Mavericks' Michael Finley carries teammate Dirk Nowitzki off the court after the Mavericks beat the Sacramento Kings.

Dallas took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back en route to a 112-99 Game 7 victory Saturday, as the MAVS eliminated the KINGS from NBA Playoffs 2003. Dirk Nowitzki poured in 30 points and grabbed 19 boards and Nick Van Exel was clutch off the bench with 23 points. Steve Nash was awesome tonight.

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Sacramento Kings' Vlade Divac, left, and Hedo Turkoglu watch the final minutes of Sacramento's loss.

Last time MAVERICKS reached the Western Conference Finals of NBA was back in 1988. Pretty long journey MAVS had, haan. Let's face it.... MAVS are better team against KINGS without Chris Webber. But you gotta give credit to the MAVS. I reckon bench support from Nick Van Exel and Raja Bell was just amazing. No question about it. KINGS actually tied the score in the 2nd qtr and in the start session of the 4th qtr, they were just 7/8 pts behind but couldn't keep up with the pace.

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Dallas Mavericks' Nick Van Exel (31) works the ball against the defense of Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby.

Surprisingly, Mike Bibby woke up, tallied 25 points and Jim Jackson added 24 off the bench but it was too late for the KINGS. Webber, being out of the plays hurt KINGS alot. I sympathazie with the KINGS fans out there. Good luck for the next season. :)

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Sacramento Kings' Hedo Turkoglu (5) of Turkey tries to keep Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash (13) in check.

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Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic (16) works the ball in on Dallas Mavericks' Michael Finley (4).

Dallas will face San Antonio in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday. Though, odds are on the sides of SPURS but season series was 2-game apiece with Nowikzi having higher avg than Duncan. Though, Tim Duncan sat out in one game, which as a result MAVS won.

  • **NBA Playoffs 2003 - SEMI-FINALS Result :-

EASTERN CONFERENCE:**

Detriot PISTONS vs Philadelphia SIXERS - PISTONS won 4-2.

Boston CELTICS vs New Jersey NETS - **NETS won 4-0.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:**

  • Los Angeles LAKERS vs San Antonio SPURS - SPURS won 4-2.

  • Dallas MAVERICKS vs Sacramento KINGS - MAVS won 4-3.

Alright homies, now we head to the Finals of both Eastern & Western Conference. Though, Championship still favors Western Conference team but I tell you NETS/PISTONS won't let their chances slip.

** - NBA Playoffs 2003 - FINALS :-

EASTERN CONFERENCE:**

  • Detriot PISTONS vs New Jersey NETS

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

  • Dallas MAVERICKS vs San Antonio SPURS
274

right on… :k: :k: u tell um

275

PISTONS vs NETS

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New Jersey Nets’ Jason Kidd shoots the game winning bucket.

My O My, what a game! New Jersey took the lead in the fourth quarter behind a 10-0 run, and Jason Kidd drilled the game-winning jumper with 1.4 seconds to play as the NETS downed Detroit 76-74 in Game 1 of the conference finals Sunday, swiping home-court advantage in the process. Kenyon Martin led the way with 16 points and Kidd finished with 15 points, nine boards and seven dimes.

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Detroit Pistons’ Chauncey Billups (1) goes to the basket between New Jersey Nets’ Jason Collins (35) and Kenyon Martin, right.

Richard Hamilton led Detriot with game-high 24 points. Billups was quite today and hadn’t had enough touch with the ball as NETS defence was terrific.

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New Jersey Nets head coach Byron Scott directs his team from the sidelines.

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Detroit Pistons forward Mehmet Okur and New Jersey Nets forward Rodney Rogers, top, scramble for a loose ball.

Had the ball gone into the bucket by Okur in the final moments, game would have been tied. But that’s all history. Reason why NETS defeated PISTIONS were fast breakpoints. NETS just keep getting better are better in that aspect of the ball game. It let NETS keep running… NETS had 28 fast breakpoints compare to PISTONS’ 2. Good coaching by Bryon Scott and great leadership shown by Jason Kidd on the court. :k:

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Kidd showed his leadership and it counts!

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Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (32) shoots over the defense of New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson (24).

New Jersey will try to take a 2-0 series advantage in Game 2 whereas Detriot will try to even up the Best of 7-Game series on Tuesday.

  • **NBA Playoffs 2003 - FINALS :-

EASTERN CONFERENCE:**

  • Detriot PISTONS vs New Jersey NETS - **NETS leads 1-0.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:**

  • Dallas MAVERICKS vs San Antonio SPURS
276

Why is the thread brought down, there are 2 more rounds to go in this championship. :rolleyes:

Anyways, go Mavericks, hope they beat the Spurs.

277

Ehsan, yes please keep this thread sticky. Lakers may not be competing anymore, but NBA goes on and yes as Umair said 2 more rounds to go. We will have a new champion this season.

278

Was hoping to see an all-California series(just so Sacramento could return last year's favor, and do it AT Staples), but we got a battle of Texas on our hands. Well done Spurs and Mavs!

I'm rooting for San Antone to go to all the way now (partly coz they got rid of mah Kings :D).

methinks Detroit will be a tougher opponent for them than Joisey if they do advance.

279

Mavericks doesn't have a proper defense, they will pay a huge price against Spurs but the explosive offense will make it up.
Since Lakers are out, I think East has a very good chance of winning.

280

Mavs dont stadn a cahnce against the Spurs....and the east..no way!!