NBA Discussion - The Stretch Run
- Thread starter tomalak301
- Start date
How about those Lakers?
6-0 in the postseason.
Can they keep it up??
This Lakers team reminds me of the 1991 Chicago Bulls in a lot of ways. The coach is Phil Jackson, and the star is a 2-guard who just won the MVP after a season in which he supposedly learned to be a team player. Also, they're overachieving. No one picked the '91 Bulls to win the championship, and I doubt that any of your serious sports media types picked the Lakers to win it this year. In fact, you could argue that this Lakers team is better than that Bulls team. Another interesting fact: no Phil Jackson-coached team has ever started the playoffs this well and not won the title.
^ I really got into basketball in the 91-92 season, right after the Bulls first title. I got caught up in the Knicks who were getting really good at the time and getting into their rivalry with Chicago. That 7 game Eastern semis series what was made me a huge basketball fan. (My interest has since dropped but thats another story)
Who was the favorite in 91? Detroit? LA?
Was 91 the year the Bulls 'dethroned' the Pistons?
Who was the favorite in 91? Detroit? LA?
Was 91 the year the Bulls 'dethroned' the Pistons?
The favorite in 91 was Portland. Most analysts didn't think LA would get by them. It was a very very tough western conference final. The east final was pretty much the Bulls steamrolling the Pistons.
Celtics lose on the road once again, and now the series is knotted at 2-2. What a bunch of pussies. A championship team would have won a road game by now. If they make it to the Finals, they'll get killed.
It was a seriously intense game. Intense but clean, not thugball. At least, not what I saw when I was abel to watch. LeBron wasn't shooting a whole lot better, but he nailed a couple of 3-pointers and whipped a gorgeous no-look pass out to Gibson for the dagger tonight. Plus, that Erving like jam at the end was sheer power. I still say Boston has the clear upper hand, because they have been unbeatable at home. There's no doubt that they are the better team, but Cleveland may be exposing some chinks in the Celtic armor.
Chris Paul still has my vote for MVP, but man... what LeBron has done with the cast he has had is in some ways more striking than Kobe, Paul and KG have done. All four have had outrageous seasons, but each one has had something special.
Chris Paul still has my vote for MVP, but man... what LeBron has done with the cast he has had is in some ways more striking than Kobe, Paul and KG have done. All four have had outrageous seasons, but each one has had something special.
I now think that the Cavs will take the series against Boston, which I thought impossible up to now. The Celtics are too soft, except when at home, but the right team will solve them one game on the road, and all it'll take is a LeBron explosion.
And I thought I liked the Celtics.
I'm hoping Utah sends it to game 7.
And I thought I liked the Celtics.
I'm hoping Utah sends it to game 7.
I am still skeptical of the Cavs' chances, if for no other reason than they still need to win in Boston. Each team has now won a nail-biter and a blowout. Take into account the regular season, and neither has won on the other team's home court. Cleveland's defense has been overlooked throughout the playoffs, having held the opponent under 90 pts in all but two games, I think. However, Boston has played more consistently all season long. Atlanta also forced a game seven, and the Celtics blew them out. Then again Cleveland is a significantly better defensive team than Atlanta.
Game 5 will be the key.
Game 5 will be the key.
Yep. If they can't win on the road in the eastern conference, there's no way they're going to win in a seven game series with any of the current teams playing in the west.
The irony is that the Celtics had the best road record this season. Of course, it was mostly against the East Conference....
I totally agree. The thing that shocked me last night was their total lack of bench production. KG had bad games during the season but usually their bench did something.
I also did some research last night and discovered that since 1984 when the NBA expanded to 16 playoff teams no team has ever made the finals without winning a road game and no team in NBA history has won the championship without winning a road game. The closest were the 1962 Celtics who went 7-1 at home and 1-5 on the road.
If memory serves, I don't think any team has ever won the championship without winning a road game.
S
Stone_Cold_Sisko
Guest
The Celts better start learning to win on the road real quick... because the Pistons just advanced, and they WILL win one game in Boston if the series goes long.
Well it's looking like the western series are going to come down to home court, will have to see how Utah does tonight. But a Lakers/Hornets series should be exciting if that happens. And as long as the Celtics hold home court against the Cavs, the Pistons should beat them.
Is it possible, just possible, that the leprechauns have finally moved into the TD Banknorth Garden? Because the Cavs totally could have won that game.
Mark my words, if the Celtics don't grow a pair and close out the series in Cleveland, then they won't make it out of the East.
Mark my words, if the Celtics don't grow a pair and close out the series in Cleveland, then they won't make it out of the East.
yep, they REALLY need to get that next game. Thought this one was gonna go sour for a bit, but they got a 2nd wind right before the half and went on a run, and then held on for the win. Really need to see them show the same energy next game, though, or it's gonna get ugly...
On the other hand, in this round of the playoffs, the home teams have won 19 out of 20, so it's been tough for everyone on the road right now...
On the other hand, in this round of the playoffs, the home teams have won 19 out of 20, so it's been tough for everyone on the road right now...
Last edited:
Gibson being out for the next 1 - 2 weeks really damages the Cavs' chances, though. He can provide a good outside shot that opens things up for James. It was good to see the Celtics focused and prepared and on fire. Anything less and the would probably have lost that game 5.
