NBA Finals discussion

congratulations to Celtics and the fans. the guys put up a good show that is worthy of the title. at the beginning of the playoff i didn't think Celtics would get far, much less getting a title -- not with 6 consecutive road defeats. but they pulled themselves together at the perfect timing, stood strong and here they are. i stand corrected. here's one to you too, Garnett. more than 10 years of watching you and i'm glad you finally got one. :)

and no, this doesn't lessen Kobe's by any mean -- at least not to me. the world's greatest SG is still at the top of his game, and i would like to see him leading a better team to the finals next year.

and oh, by the way, Kobe = / > MJ ;)

Hey where is the clown back from in january I think it was that said that the Celts were not going to win and he gaurenteed it?!

that was awesome!

whats everyones thoughts on this years finals???

that was awesome!

whats everyones thoughts on this years finals???

BeanTownBrown86

OH SNAP. People are going crazy here in Southie

2008 CHAMPS

As a Celtic fan i loved the finals. It was so sweet to see these guys who have always dominated finally get theirs. Treuly moving. Im so happy that Pierce got MVP he gave everything to Boston for 10 years, even when he had to do it by himself and it was time to thank him. I wish this game could have been closer in some ways to make it more intense, but the joy of the win will suffice.

Good to see Peirce, Allen and Garnett get some rings.

Next year should be another fun year of basketball. Also i cant wait for the Olympics to see if USA can step it up and win for a change.

heres to an entertaining playoffs and hopes that my pacers become a contender again lol:P

I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.blackngold29

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.blackngold29

Same can be said about your Patriots during the superbowl.

OH SNAP. People are going crazy here in Southie

2008 CHAMPS

IrishPunk

Lakers weren't too competitive in this series. People forget that other than Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson, none of these guys have been on a Finals' team. You can also say that about Boston, however, the Lakers are pretty young compared to the Celtics. They need more time to mature.

Good luck to the Lakers next year. Boston gave you a beating, but hopefully Bynum could change that.

Congrats to the Celtics, the Big 3 deserved the championship, its been along time coming for those guys. The Celtics is the best team this year and Lakers coming in second. And Lakers coming in second just says alot especially when their team mostly has inexperienced young players that never played in the Finals with the exception of the MVP Kobe and Fisher. Congrats Celtics. Another sports team in Boston wins again.

Good to see Peirce, Allen and Garnett get some rings.

Next year should be another fun year of basketball. Also i cant wait for the Olympics to see if USA can step it up and win for a change.

heres to an entertaining playoffs and hopes that my pacers become a contender again lol:P

kozzy1234

Argentina all the way. Bring it. This time we will have Ginobili, Herman, Nocioni, and Oberto.

If US basketball loses, wouldnt that mean Kobe, Lebron, Anthony, Howard, etc etc etc are all overated and need the NBA refs to shine?

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for the beat down they put on the Lakers. Boston was dominant in every facet of the series and they earned the right to be crowned NBA champions. We'll see if they can win 2 more titles and if they do then Kevin Garnett can be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe Bryant. Until that happens then Kevin and the rest of the Celtics won't be Hall of Fame material.cukoo

[QUOTE="cukoo"]Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for the beat down they put on the Lakers. Boston was dominant in every facet of the series and they earned the right to be crowned NBA champions. We'll see if they can win 2 more titles and if they do then Kevin Garnett can be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe Bryant. Until that happens then Kevin and the rest of the Celtics won't be Hall of Fame material.fiercedeity901

Um, Kobe made it to the Finals that alone says he can do it without Shaq. Boston was the better team this year, we get it. Do you even realize how hard it is just to take over a game in the Finals, especially when you're going up against the current best defensive team in the league? Even with Shaq, Kobe still managed to average 29 PPG in 2000, 26 PPG in 2001, and 32 PPG in 2002 (these are his playoff averages). What were Shaq's playoff average? In 2000 30 PPG, 2001 28 PPG, and 2002 27 PPG (Once again playoff averages). So Shaq needed Kobe just as much as Kobe needed Shaq. Sure, Shaq went on to win with the Miami Heat, but don't you think he got a little help from Dwayne Wade and the roleplayers on that team? So to say Kobe's three rings is due to mostly Shaq is a joke, those two were dominant together.

[QUOTE="fiercedeity901"][QUOTE="cukoo"]Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for the beat down they put on the Lakers. Boston was dominant in every facet of the series and they earned the right to be crowned NBA champions. We'll see if they can win 2 more titles and if they do then Kevin Garnett can be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe Bryant. Until that happens then Kevin and the rest of the Celtics won't be Hall of Fame material.tharg617

Um, Kobe made it to the Finals that alone says he can do it without Shaq. Boston was the better team this year, we get it. Do you even realize how hard it is just to take over a game in the Finals, especially when you're going up against the current best defensive team in the league? Even with Shaq, Kobe still managed to average 29 PPG in 2000, 26 PPG in 2001, and 32 PPG in 2002 (these are his playoff averages). What were Shaq's playoff average? In 2000 30 PPG, 2001 28 PPG, and 2002 27 PPG (Once again playoff averages). So Shaq needed Kobe just as much as Kobe needed Shaq. Sure, Shaq went on to win with the Miami Heat, but don't you think he got a little help from Dwayne Wade and the roleplayers on that team? So to say Kobe's three rings is due to mostly Shaq is a joke, those two were dominant together.

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for the beat down they put on the Lakers. Boston was dominant in every facet of the series and they earned the right to be crowned NBA champions. We'll see if they can win 2 more titles and if they do then Kevin Garnett can be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe Bryant. Until that happens then Kevin and the rest of the Celtics won't be Hall of Fame material.cukoo

I see, Laker fans are still crying about the blowout.

A lot of players who made it or who'll make it to the HOF never won a championship. Stockton, Malone, Maravich, Barkley, Miller, etc. never one a championship but they'll be there. 'Sides, a lot of people'll argue, but Paul and Williams ain't no Stockton, and Boozer ain't no Malone. Not even close. Still, they're gonna get their respect. Garnett's on a whole different level, and a championship's nothing to sneeze at. As an NBA great, the guy deserves a bit more respect.

[QUOTE="tharg617"]

[QUOTE="fiercedeity901"][QUOTE="cukoo"]Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for the beat down they put on the Lakers. Boston was dominant in every facet of the series and they earned the right to be crowned NBA champions. We'll see if they can win 2 more titles and if they do then Kevin Garnett can be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe Bryant. Until that happens then Kevin and the rest of the Celtics won't be Hall of Fame material.fiercedeity901

Um, Kobe made it to the Finals that alone says he can do it without Shaq. Boston was the better team this year, we get it. Do you even realize how hard it is just to take over a game in the Finals, especially when you're going up against the current best defensive team in the league? Even with Shaq, Kobe still managed to average 29 PPG in 2000, 26 PPG in 2001, and 32 PPG in 2002 (these are his playoff averages). What were Shaq's playoff average? In 2000 30 PPG, 2001 28 PPG, and 2002 27 PPG (Once again playoff averages). So Shaq needed Kobe just as much as Kobe needed Shaq. Sure, Shaq went on to win with the Miami Heat, but don't you think he got a little help from Dwayne Wade and the roleplayers on that team? So to say Kobe's three rings is due to mostly Shaq is a joke, those two were dominant together.

I realize making it to the finals isn't winning the finals however, either way it's still an accomplishment. Analysts are just trying to make a story out of nothing. Kobe doesn't need to prove anything, he isn't MJ, he is Kobe Bryant. You don't hear Analysts talking about how Paul Pierce can't win a championship without KG and Ray Allen, you just hear that they are a great team and that's why they won. So imo they need to do the same with Kobe and just realize he was part of championship caliber team when he was with Shaq which is the result of why the Lakers were such a dominate team.

Oooooooohhh, just what I like, this thread is filled with Kobe Hater's!!!!!

It is a tremendous accomplishment for this young, inexperienced Laker team to get to the finals!!! To win it would have been even greater. Your Hero, MJ, with teams built around him from day 1, took 7 years to get to the finals! Kobe is in only his 4th year with a team built around him, and he takes them to the finals! Yeah, you haters couldn't wait to see him lose to start the bashing, huh!? Give Kobe 3 more years like MJ had if you're fair minded, but no, you're haters who love MJ more than you love basketball!

When MJ finally made the finals he did so with a veteran, battle tested team still young enough to beat the aging, Jabbarless Lakers. Kobe gets there quicker, with a combination of young, inexperienced, somewhat soft role players, now your'e ready to pile on Kobe when you should be giving him credit for getting this team there.

There are several reasons why the Lakers lost and even why they got crushed in game 6, later for that.

[QUOTE="blackngold29"]I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.JCblueside

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

[QUOTE="JCblueside"]

[QUOTE="blackngold29"]I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.blackngold29

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

Like i said already look at your Patriots during the superbowl. They were clearly the favorites to "win it all" but look what happened. Pretty much every sports analyst called the Patriots to win but in sports anything is possible.

I guess it all depends on talent and teamworkazizalbaker

Yup :D

The celtics did great.

[QUOTE="blackngold29"][QUOTE="JCblueside"]

[QUOTE="blackngold29"]I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.TM1

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

Like i said already look at your Patriots during the superbowl. They were clearly the favorites to "win it all" but look what happened. Pretty much every sports analyst called the Patriots to win but in sports anything is possible.

[QUOTE="blackngold29"][QUOTE="JCblueside"]

[QUOTE="blackngold29"]I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.TM1

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

Like i said already look at your Patriots during the superbowl. They were clearly the favorites to "win it all" but look what happened. Pretty much every sports analyst called the Patriots to win but in sports anything is possible.

Actually from what I recall, by gameday a lot of analysts were going with the Giants, and the spread was pretty close.

[QUOTE="TM1"][QUOTE="blackngold29"][QUOTE="JCblueside"]

[QUOTE="blackngold29"]I would once again like to thank all of the "Profession NBA Analysts" who had the LAL winning in five. They have once again re-inforced that they know as much as anyone who has never watched an athletic competition in their life.IrishPunk

You need to accept the fact that people have different opinions and point of views.

Like i said already look at your Patriots during the superbowl. They were clearly the favorites to "win it all" but look what happened. Pretty much every sports analyst called the Patriots to win but in sports anything is possible.

Actually from what I recall, by gameday a lot of analysts were going with the Giants, and the spread was pretty close.

For the sake of my sanity, please let the Lakers win and/or let Osmo get banned:cry:JML897

WTF? What magic is this? Just_Osmo IS banned.

Wow.

[QUOTE="JML897"]For the sake of my sanity, please let the Lakers win and/or let Osmo get banned:cry:manningbowl135

WTF? What magic is this? Just_Osmo IS banned.

Wow.

Wait wait what? Gloated too much over celtics winning?

[QUOTE="manningbowl135"]

[QUOTE="JML897"]For the sake of my sanity, please let the Lakers win and/or let Osmo get banned:cry:mrgab

WTF? What magic is this? Just_Osmo IS banned.

Wow.

Wait wait what? Gloated too much over celtics winning?

Osmo! My Celtics bretheren.. come back soon.

Just a celebratory clinching game for us fans, a great, dramatic playoff run, a season for the ages for these Celtics :) Let's take a quick look down memory lane..

-Started the season 29-3

-Swept their first 5 game west coast road trip

-Won 7 out of 9 games with KG injured and with Brian Scalabrine starting

-Ended the Houston Rockets 22 game win streak in Houston (they won by 20)

-Swept the Texas Triangle, first team to do so since 2001

-Set the single season turnaround record

-Beat every team in the league at least once

-Averaged over 100 ppg and gave up around 90ppg, over a 10 point differential (2nd best was Detroit with 7.4)

-66 wins on the season, 35-6 at home, 22-4 vs. Western Conference

-#1 seed in the NBA, best defense in the NBA, KG DPOY award, Danny Ainge Executive of the year award

And lots more personal memories for C's fans such as Powe's breakout game after riding the bench all season, Big Baby Davis' heroics beating the Pistons in Detroit, winning the season opener soundly after Arenas guaranteed a loss, embarrasing the Knicks, Ray Allen's game winners, the best play of the season, one of the best dunks of the season.

And then the playoffs. Game 7 blowout vs the Hawks, Pierce vs. LeBron in a tense game 7 vs the Cavs, putting away the Pistons in Detroit, getting to play the Lakers of all foes (while being labeled underdogs by the media), the historic comeback in game 4 of the finals, utterly dismantling the Lakers in game 6 for banner 17, the first title in 22 years (and the first I actually will remember).

I couldn't be happier that not only did my team win, but the best team won, with good guys who deserve a championship, and they did it in impressive fashion. Even with all the big 3 hype they truly are a team that plays unselfish team ball, they took the Ubuntu mantra to heart from the very beginning of preseason. Lakers are very close, but it's the defense that makes the difference. They need role players willing to sacrifice themselves at that end of the court to their game up another level. That, and a better player to match up against Pierce than Vlad. Bring on Banner #18!

woah woah...i really liked just_osmo why'd he get banned? idk if it's true, but i haven't seen him on here in awhile and he's usually always on...gah...he was really cool BRING HIM BACK!!!!fiercedeity901

Go to the first page of this topic, find his post, click on his profile.

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

mont13

Duncan still has to be considered better IMO, just because of his superior arsenal of post moves. He's also got one of the all time great playoff resumes, KG still has to do more in future postseasons to approach him there.

KG brings his own set of unique talents to the table (athleticism, money jump shot, defensive leadership, emotion) and he's one of the greatest PF's ever no question, but Duncan just may wind up the greatest of all time. So it's hard to move away from that after one great KG led championship run.

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

mont13

Actually after watching the finals, I think KG is worse than I thought. He's very bad in the post. Duncan can dominate from the post, KG will almost always shoot a fadeway.

Duncan is also the better defender even though KG won DPOY this year.

IMO KG is great, but Duncan is better.

[QUOTE="mont13"]

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

manningbowl135

Actually after watching the finals, I think KG is worse than I thought. He's very bad in the post. Duncan can dominate from the post, KG will almost always shoot a fadeway.

Duncan is also the better defender even though KG won DPOY this year.

IMO KG is great, but Duncan is better.

Im not gonna disagree that Duncan is better, but i also think that the Finals wasn't the best representation of KG's ability. Throughout the year he had felt very comfortable with the fadeaways, it was the shot he was looking for, it just wasn't falling in the finals either because of pressure,bad luck or a defender who was more equal in height. Generally he could shoot over guys and was good at it.

I would'n't argue any of those points concerning KG/Duncan. I guess I just like KG a little better. It would have been interesting to see them go head to head for the title, with both having a good support cast.

Speaking of the Title here's the main reasons Boston won it, imo.

Boston has 3 very hungry, talented, and experienced veterans who had been denied for years and saw this as possibly their only chance to win it all.
Boston has good role players(young and vets) in key positions.
Boston has too much size, bulk, atheleticism and talent in the middle.
Boston has a good, hungry and inspirational coach who was on the firing block last year, thus had something to prove.
Boston has one of the best defenses in years, anchored by the dpoty, designed to stop L.A.'s best weapon.
Boston had home court advantage.
Too much Kobe in predetermined "facilitator" mode instead of "attack" mode.
Laker role players were a combination of young, inexperienced, inconsistent, and not physically tough enough...for Boston. It's just a bad match up.

Also Phil Jackson coached as if he had a veteran team that didn't need as much motivation/instruction.

To a lesser extent the Laker home crowd was too passive during Boston's 24 point comeback. I'm reaching but the crowd did not serve to give the Lakers an emotional "lift".

The combination of all that added up to a series loss and blow-out in game 6.

Other thoughts on the finals: Concerning Kobe andMJ

The Bulls attempted to build a championship team around Jordan since his arrival. They lost in the 1st round 3 years straight. The Bulls then lost to the Pistons 3 straight years, once in the 2nd round (conf semi-finals) and twice in the 3rd round (conf. finals). It took MJ and the Bulls 7 years to get the right mix of role players in place to win it all.

By contrast, the Lakers are attempting to build a championship team around Kobe Bryant. This is only the 4th year of that effort and already Kobe has led his team to the finals, through the toughest western conference ever. Seems to me Kobe and the Lakers are ahead of schedule (so to speak), and have over-achieved this year. The Lakers are fine, it takes time, it's a "process".

Kobe and MJ's careers are not in lock step. The Bulls built around MJ early in his career, the Lakers are building around Kobe at a later stage in his career. That and several other variables make it virtually impossible to fairly compare them. Kobe gets picked apart mercilessly and his career isn't even over.

Question:

How do you think Kevin Garnett compares to Tim Duncan, before and after the title? I always thought KG was as good if not more skilled than Duncan. KG just never had the squad around him to win it all.

mont13

as much as i hate to say it, duncan is a little better than KG. I like KG's game better and he's got more skill, but duncan is just more dominant and efficient on both sides of the court and he always makes the right plays when his team needs him. If i were to build a team around either one of those players in their prime, i'd have to go with duncan