2010-11 NBA Playoffs / Finals

[Who]

10 shots for Kobe?  Wow. 

Artest leading the team with 14 shot attempts. Hmm ...

He does have a very good matchup down low against Marco Belinelli (with Ariza covering Kobe) and against NOH three guard lineups though. However, you'd hope for a bit better than 6-14 shooting if he is down in the low post with such an advantage.

[Tai]

And of course, Hornets let this game slip away from them again, after being down as much as 3.

there wasn't a chance the hornets would win game 2.  the refs weren't gonna let it happen.  the lakers were bound to realize they could score at will against the undersized hornets frontcourt.

...Make up your mind. Was it the Lakers would take advantage of size or that the refs would step in? I don't think the refs did anything much last night for the Lakers that was obvious. They called a foul on Kobe when CP3 was shooting a 3-pointer, and Kobe got T'ed up promptly for reacting. Or are you gonna claim that Kobe doesn't have the respect of the refs like Lebron, Wade and Rose do?

The Hornets had a chance to steal another game at Staples, and they blew it. It's clear they can hang with the Lakers without David West, whether in LA land wants to believe it or not, and BECAUSE OF THAT, if you really think the refs played a part in Game 2 at any point in favor of the Lakers, then even you have to agree that Game 3 and 4 is ripe for the Hornets taking since the refs prolly won't want to tick off a rowdy crowd that may actually believe their team can do the "impossible" in this series.

[Who]

I like the idea of Orlando dropping Arenas from their rotation.

JJ Redick is an able deputy with Hedo Turkoglu playing alongside him and JJ is capable of playing solid defense against a PG like Jamal Crawford.

A trio of Redick, Q.Richardson and Hedo would also be more effective defensively against the Hawks big perimeter trios (Crawford, JJ, Marvin) than their small lineup combinations that Orlando used in game one (Arenas, Redick, J-Rich).

Besides, Gilbert Arenas has been a total liability for months now. One of the worst defensive players in the league at his position and regularly inefficient / ineffective offensively. Just getting him off the floor will be a boost for Orlando at this point. Addition by subtraction.

Edit: Wow, just looked up Gil's numbers. He is shooting 34% from the field, 27.5% from three, has a TS% of 44% and is averaging 2.2 turnovers in just 22 minutes a night of playing time since joining the Magic. Wow, that's bad.

[samantha28]

Anyone watching the Pacers "struggling" against the Bulls? You'd think for all the flack we're getting about the Cs struggling against the Knicks (who have freaking 'Melo), there'd be a little more buzz about the Pacers vs. Bulls.

[jdz101]

Anyone noticed that melo is slightly overweight?

Loose cannon is the front runner for the Tommy point with rose having a poor start and no MVP treatment to speak of.

[fairweatherfan]

Nice start for the Sixers, up 9-0 early.  If they extend this series it helps us a lot.

[RebusRankin]

Anyone watching the Pacers "struggling" against the Bulls? You'd think for all the flack we're getting about the Cs struggling against the Knicks (who have freaking 'Melo), there'd be a little more buzz about the Pacers vs. Bulls.

Chicago and the mighty Rose never struggle. ESPN has decried it.

[samantha28]

Anyone watching the Pacers "struggling" against the Bulls? You'd think for all the flack we're getting about the Cs struggling against the Knicks (who have freaking 'Melo), there'd be a little more buzz about the Pacers vs. Bulls.

Chicago and the mighty Rose never struggle. ESPN has decried it.

So true. TP.

Derrick Rose is shooting 3-13 with 5 turnovers right now against an eighth seed team.  ESPN will probably declare him the next Michael Jordan after this "stellar" performance.

And let's not forget Boozer and his 1-9 and 3 TOs.

Anyone else feeling more confident about Bulls vs. Celtics?

[CaliCeltics]

Rose has nine attempted free throws. He definitely can get at least six more.

[CaliCeltics]

Rose with 13.... two more.

[PosImpos]

Anyone watching the Pacers "struggling" against the Bulls? You'd think for all the flack we're getting about the Cs struggling against the Knicks (who have freaking 'Melo), there'd be a little more buzz about the Pacers vs. Bulls.

Chicago and the mighty Rose never struggle. ESPN has decried it.

So true. TP.

Derrick Rose is shooting 3-13 with 5 turnovers right now against an eighth seed team.  ESPN will probably declare him the next Michael Jordan after this "stellar" performance.

And let's not forget Boozer and his 1-9 and 3 TOs.

Anyone else feeling more confident about Bulls vs. Celtics?

No, because I don't see how the Celtics are going to get past the Heat.


That said, it's comforting that the teams anointed before the post-season even began are having trouble with their matchups (Lakers vs Hornets, Bulls vs Pacers).  Makes me feel a bit better about how much trouble the C's are having with the Knicks.

[jdz101]

Caliceltics is in the box seat with rose getting a ridiculous free throw count in the second half. (what a surprise.)

[CaliCeltics]

Rose is 3-16...so what do the refs do? Blow the whistle 

[CelticSooner]

Pacers blow it again. 

[CaliCeltics]

Looked like Granger had contact on the near game winner... Just saying.

Also, Rose finished with 15 attempted free throws. Woo!