Official 2008-2009 NBA Thread

[rangercal]

I don't think Noah or Thomas are enough yet to give Howard all that much trouble on either end, unless they draw him in to some silly fouls with their speed which they did in the last game the 2 teams played. Either way, I think esp. Noah needs to add some additional muscle this summer before he can really hold his ground against a guy like Howard.

 

The best way for the Bulls to neutralize Howard is going to be Rose and Gordon driving the basket hard and finding a way to get Howard to hack them. Their big guys just aren't at Howard's level. Miller can maybe slow him down for a while just by being the annoying bigger veteran, and Gray might be useful just because of his sheer mass and ability to foul 6 more times.

 

If the Bulls actually want to win the series, then 1 specific thing needs to happen...their outside shooters need to get red hot for at least 1 game in Orlando. The way the Bulls are playing at home, I can see them holding home court, but they win on the road against good teams only when their outside guys get ridiculously hot.

 

I beg to differ on Tyrus and Noah, however I am pretty sure Hedo and Lewis will be fine for the series, so it is all a moot point. Magic in 5.

[rangercal]

I hate to burst your bubble, but the last time they played Hedo sat out, Lewis was 0-9 from the field, and Dwight was still 6-7 from the floor in his 22 minutes in a 28-point win...

 

The theory that anyone on the Bulls can stop Dwight just isn't particularly valid, their only saving grace is he seems to get fewer attempts against the Bulls. Their only real hope is that the Bulls' perimeter players out-duel the Magic's perimeter players, which may not be far-fetched given the play of the former of late and the injury issues for the latter.

 

That does not burst my bubble at all. Lewis was on the floor and healthy. Someone had to stop him and it looks like it was accomplished, however that allowed other areas of the Magic offense to excel. If it is known knowledge that Lewis and Hedo are playing at 50% or so, that changes all the Dynamics of the offense.

 

 

and don't you think the Bulls shooting 31% had a little to do with such a lopsided loss? Are you depending on the Bulls to shoot that poorly in a series?

Edited April 14, 2009 by rangercal

[ZoomSlowik]

That does not burst my bubble at all. Lewis was on the floor and healthy. Someone had to stop him and it looks like it was accomplished, however that allowed other areas of the Magic offense to excel. If it is known knowledge that Lewis and Hedo are playing at 50% or so, that changes all the Dynamics of the offense.

 

 

and don't you think the Bulls shooting 31% had a little to do with such a lopsided loss? Are you depending on the Bulls to shoot that poorly in a series?

 

I don't really care about the margin as much as your assertion that if the Magic's perimeter players are off that they can stop Dwight. They haven't really slowed him down at all in any of their matchups, even in my example where their two other scorers were hurt/way off. Hell, they couldn't stop Tony Battie and Marcin Gortat in that particular game much less Dwight. If the game is even remotely close you can pretty much mark him down for 20-12, so the Bulls perimeter players are going to have to make up quite a bit of ground.

[Balta1701]

I don't really care about the margin as much as your assertion that if the Magic's perimeter players are off that they can stop Dwight. They haven't really slowed him down at all in any of their matchups, even in my example where their two other scorers were hurt/way off. Hell, they couldn't stop Tony Battie and Marcin Gortat in that particular game much less Dwight. If the game is even remotely close you can pretty much mark him down for 20-12, so the Bulls perimeter players are going to have to make up quite a bit of ground.

That's all you're writing him down for? If he's pulling in 20-12 we might legit have a shot. I'm scared of him going for like 20/20, or 30/15, or crazy numbers like that. If he's putting up average games, then we have a shot. Noah's probably still going to pull down double-doubles, TT has been more effective with his shot lately, and our outside guys are more than solid. The real Bulls weakness this year has been being absolutely torched by big guys, and that hasn't changed down the stretch as the team has improved either.

[rangercal]

I don't really care about the margin as much as your assertion that if the Magic's perimeter players are off that they can stop Dwight. They haven't really slowed him down at all in any of their matchups, even in my example where their two other scorers were hurt/way off. Hell, they couldn't stop Tony Battie and Marcin Gortat in that particular game much less Dwight. If the game is even remotely close you can pretty much mark him down for 20-12, so the Bulls perimeter players are going to have to make up quite a bit of ground.

 

I never said they would shut down Dwight. I just said give him fits. Big difference. Dwight can still go 30-20 no matter how frustrated he is. He's that good. I would like to see Miller or Noah do their best to put a body on him, Gray hack the s*** out of him 6 times and Tyrus Jump at every shot he takes. Even with all that, it will probably be a lost cause. I do like our chances only if Orlando is depending on Dwight by himself.

[MHizzle85]

Who else LOVES Jemele Hill as much as I do?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=ROY-0809

Her pick isn't completely horrible. He would get my 2nd place vote...shame that Westbrook got no consideration from anyone though. But I do hate me some Jemele Hill regardless.

 

Postseason Award Picks:

ROY: Derrick Rose

6th Man: Roger Mason

Most Improved: Devin Harris

Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy

Defensive POY: D. Wade.

MVP: Lebron.

[ZoomSlowik]

That's all you're writing him down for? If he's pulling in 20-12 we might legit have a shot. I'm scared of him going for like 20/20, or 30/15, or crazy numbers like that. If he's putting up average games, then we have a shot. Noah's probably still going to pull down double-doubles, TT has been more effective with his shot lately, and our outside guys are more than solid. The real Bulls weakness this year has been being absolutely torched by big guys, and that hasn't changed down the stretch as the team has improved either.

 

Well, I was saying as a bare minimum. Of course he can go off for numbers like that at any given time, and it doesn't appear that the Bulls' frontcourt can do much to stop him.

 

 

I never said they would shut down Dwight. I just said give him fits. Big difference. Dwight can still go 30-20 no matter how frustrated he is. He's that good. I would like to see Miller or Noah do their best to put a body on him, Gray hack the s*** out of him 6 times and Tyrus Jump at every shot he takes. Even with all that, it will probably be a lost cause. I do like our chances only if Orlando is depending on Dwight by himself.

 

Okay, that's different then. I pretty much said the same thing a while ago, if the Bulls' backcourt can have a few of those games where Rose/Gordon/Salmons combine for 55 or more and Orlando's perimeter players are significantly off that's another story. I still have a hard time seeing them take more than 2 games barring some weird things happening though.

Edited April 14, 2009 by ZoomSlowik

[GoodAsGould]

It seemed to me that Derek Rose hit another level with Memphis when the big tourney started, if last night was any sign, Rose might be gearing up for the nba playoffs too, be pretty interesting how he performs.

[Balta1701]

It seemed to me that Derek Rose hit another level with Memphis when the big tourney started, if last night was any sign, Rose might be gearing up for the nba playoffs too, be pretty interesting how he performs.

On the other hand...he's about 40 more games than he's ever played in a season before, so really would it be that shocking if he was the least bit tired?

[chw42]

Rose has shown he has the ability to take over. The guy's got heart and he knows when to turn it on. He just needs to learn how to do it for most of the game, not just a quarter.

 

BTW, when was the last time two Chicago teams beat two Detroit teams in Detroit on the same day? I know this can't happen with hockey and basketball because then they would play in the same facility. The only possibility might be a Bulls/Hawks/Bears win combined with a Sox/Bears win. The fact that two Chicago teams play in Detroit on the same day is hard to come by in the first place.

[Balta1701]

Ray Allen is suspended for tonight's 76ers Celtics game.

[SoxAce]

Ray Allen is suspended for tonight's 76ers Celtics game.

 

Shoulda been more games, but good. Lost a s***load of respect for him. Honestly hitting a guy (or in his case elbowing) in the crotch is probably the second worst thing "b**** wise" you can do. (first is spitting in someone's face) Ray Allen has done some stupid stunts in the NBA, but that was just low. (kinda literally with that last sentence too.. )

[Brian]

Boston beats Philly 99-98. Bulls control their own destiny as far as the 6 seed.

 

Why did Boston call timeout with 3.0 secs after rebounding the Philly miss? They could of stood there and ran the clock out.

[rangercal]

Boston beats Philly 99-98. Bulls control their own destiny as far as the 6 seed.

 

Why did Boston call timeout with 3.0 secs after rebounding the Philly miss? They could of stood there and ran the clock out.

 

Kendrick Perkins had the ball. Poor FT shooter.

[iWiN4PreP]

if bulls get to face orlando, i can go to some games, nice

[Brian]

Kendrick Perkins had the ball. Poor FT shooter.

 

Just looked odd cuz it seemed Philly was gonna let the clock run down.

[SoxFan1]

Who else LOVES Jemele Hill as much as I do?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=ROY-0809

Thats not as horrible as all of Time Legler's collective picks. Lebron for DPOY would be the biggest joke in NBA history. Wow, the guy makes some athletic blindside/chase-down block, give him a f***ing award.

[SoxAce]

Thats not as horrible as all of Time Legler's collective picks. Lebron for DPOY would be the biggest joke in NBA history. Wow, the guy makes some athletic blindside/chase-down block, give him a f***ing award.

 

I don't think Tim Ledger would say Kobe Bryant is a better player than Micheal Jordan (then get flat out busted on it later by multiple people inc. some from ESPN analyst) with other stupid blogs/idiot remarks on T.V. That title belongs to Jemele Hill.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Thats not as horrible as all of Time Legler's collective picks. Lebron for DPOY would be the biggest joke in NBA history. Wow, the guy makes some athletic blindside/chase-down block, give him a f***ing award.

 

He's not a DPOY candidate (that's Dwight Howard's award to lose). But Lebron has improved immensely from a defensive standpoint. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he made the all-defensive first team.

[smalls2598]

Boston beats Philly 99-98. Bulls control their own destiny as far as the 6 seed.

Why did Boston call timeout with 3.0 secs after rebounding the Philly miss? They could of stood there and ran the clock out.

And luckily for the Bulls, the 76ers play the Cavs in Cleveland today. So even if the Bulls do lose, the Sixers are gonna have on hell of a time trying to be only the 2nd team to beat Cleveland at home all year

[southsider2k5]

And luckily for the Bulls, the 76ers play the Cavs in Cleveland today. So even if the Bulls do lose, the Sixers are gonna have on hell of a time trying to be only the 2nd team to beat Cleveland at home all year

 

It depends a lot on if Cleveland, with nothing to gain or lose, plays their stars for any amount of time during the game.

[rangercal]

LeBron James, Mo Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could all sit out on Wednesday. If they do play, they'll likely be limited to the first and third quarters.

The Cavs have clinched the NBA's best record, but there are a few things working in fantasy owners' favor. LeBron and Mo have both played in all 81 games so far, the Cavs could tie the best-ever home record (40-1) with a victory, and it's Fan Appreciation Night at Quicken Loans Arena.

 

source: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NBA.aspx

 

[DBAHO]

That does not burst my bubble at all. Lewis was on the floor and healthy. Someone had to stop him and it looks like it was accomplished, however that allowed other areas of the Magic offense to excel. If it is known knowledge that Lewis and Hedo are playing at 50% or so, that changes all the Dynamics of the offense.

 

 

and don't you think the Bulls shooting 31% had a little to do with such a lopsided loss? Are you depending on the Bulls to shoot that poorly in a series?

Lewis hasn't been healthy since the ASB with bad knees.

 

He's one guy I look for to step up in the playoffs.

[rangercal]

Lewis hasn't been healthy since the ASB with bad knees.

 

He's one guy I look for to step up in the playoffs.

 

If that's the case, it should be a short series in your favor of course.

[smalls2598]

source: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NBA.aspx

Looks like they will sit, per ESPN

 

CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have chosen reward over risk.

 

All-Stars LeBron James and Mo Williams and veterans Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joe Smith will not play Wednesday night against Philadelphia to rest for the playoffs, despite Cleveland attempting to match the NBA record of 40 home wins in one season.

 

Cavs coach Mike Brown said the decision was "easy" because his team has much bigger goals and he wasn't want to jeoparidze its chances of winning an NBA title by getting a player hurt in a meaningless game.