VeeshanVault

Posted: **May 1, 2007, 6:23 pm**

Baron Davis is the MVP of the playoffs! (up to this point)

He had the right attitude after the win on Sunday. Dallas could easily whip off three wins in a row so the Warriors need to be totally focused on winning tonight as if it was game seven. Don't let up!

Good luck Cart! If Dallas pulls this out, they deserve to advance past the second round and on to defeat to the Suns in the WCF!

Posted: **May 1, 2007, 6:25 pm**

I hope they hate the Mavs enough to not slack off and get overconfident for this game.

Go Warriors!

Dirk is such a little bitch. When's the last time you heard a MVP's coach having to call him out in the playoffs to get him to play they way he should? I thought one of the points of being the MVP is that you knew what you were supposed to do and you led by example. Fuck Dirk. They might as well tack on an asterisk to his trophy that says it should have gone to Nash.

Posted: **May 1, 2007, 11:06 pm**

Since everyones calling their shots,all I got to say is that the Spurs have this one in the bag.I mean look how we are dismantling the hottest team in the NBA (supposedly).We also would have won last years title too if Ginobili wouldn't have made a bonehead mistake by fouling Dork Nobitchski.
Winnow predicts that suns will move onto the third round,when we obviously crushed the suns when they spurs won the championship in 05.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 12:11 am**

Winnow predicts that suns will move onto the third round,when we obviously crushed the suns when they spurs won the championship in 05.

It's a way fucking different story now. Amare is better and younger than Duncan. He and the rest of the Spurs are old men that are going to be spun in circles by the youthful Suns.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 1:21 am**

Leonaerd wrote:
Winnow predicts that suns will move onto the third round,when we obviously crushed the suns when they spurs won the championship in 05.
It's a way fucking different story now. Amare is better and younger than Duncan. He and the rest of the Spurs are old men that are going to be spun in circles by the youthful Suns.

Did u forget what happened about a month ago on April 5? I believe the Spurs held the Suns to their lowest scoring game of the year by only giving up 85 points to them. Spurs-92 Suns-85

So yea I guess they will be running circles around them right?

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 2:03 am**

Man, the Dallas/Warriors series continues.

I almost hope it goes seven no matter who wins now. This series is going to drain the winning team.

Steven Jackson is a moron. I can't believe he got himself kickeg out of another game. He was fined 50K last time. He might have to sit out a game now. Way to go fool.

The Spurs are ancient. Amare may not average 37 again vs Duncan in this playoffs like he did last time but the Suns have a better supporting cast this go around and Amare can actually play some defense. He was leading the playoffs in blockes prior to last game.

If the refs don't let Ginobili flop, which I don't think he gets away with anymore, the Suns should be fine.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 11:36 am**

That was fucking stupid. I don't think the warriors have a shot in hell if he doesn't play. Not sure what he got ejected for this time, but I think it's in the best interest of the NBrAtings to keep him around for game 6.

Matt Barnes is really fun to watch and is playing out of his goddamn mind.

I really felt like last night the Warriors lost that game more than the Mavs won it.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 12:30 pm**

Not that any of you guys care about the east... but the Nets/Raptors game last night was fucking awesome.

The most exciting and entertaining basketball I've seen so far in the playoffs.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 1:19 pm**

That was an awesome game. Chris Bosh really manned up last night to make those throws late in the fourth.

Additionally, any time a team with Vince Carter, Chris Webber, or Ron Artest loses, it's a good day.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 5:46 pm**

Dirk finally took the team on his back last night. I agree with you guys that he shouldn't be the MVP and I'm a big Dirk fan. God I can't believe how many freaking 3s the warriors dropped. It really is frustrating when a 22 point lead doesn't mean shit. Fuck shit damn the Warriors can score so freaking fast.

I'd have to go with the Spurs in a series vs the Suns. That's who I'll be rooting for. I just feel like the match up very well against the Suns. It could go either way.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 6:25 pm**

I don't know, I thought the raptors/nets game was pretty average. The Raptors jumped out to a 20 point lead after one quarter, and the rest of the game was just them blatantly getting their asses kicked as New Jersey drew close, but didn't have quite enough time to pull it out. Sure, it was nice to see Calderon play well, and Bosh did good to hit those free throws, and that Carter three was a big moment... but, up until the last few minutes, it was always obvious that one team was playing better than the other. There were too few of those exciting back-and-forth moments you have when two teams are really on top of their game and making great plays on both ends.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 7:04 pm**

miir wrote: The most exciting and entertaining basketball I've seen so far in the playoffs.

I don't know about that. The Suns always entertain me but I'd have to say the Dallas/Warriors games have been the most entertaining/exciting games in the first round.

The Raptors' future looks bright though. Maybe Marion will end up there after the season.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 9:25 pm**

Good article about the future of the Suns from ESPN:

All is Fun in the Valley of the Sun. Right?

May 2, 2007 12:34 PM

Clearly. It's a hoot to be a Sun. The locker room chemistry is good. The style of play is fun. The win totals are impressive. The media is friendly. There is championship talk in the air. Depending what happens in the lottery, the Suns could be about to add a very serious rookie or four (based on end-of-season standings, the Suns would pick 4th, 24th, 29th, and 59th in one of the best drafts ever). The point guard is one of the best leaders in the NBA. The fifth or sixth best player is, according to one source, a genius for the ages.

And tonight you get to vanquish an old foe in front of a noisy home crowd.

So why is it that Mike D'Antoni can't sleep at night, as Doug Haller reports on AZcentral.com:

He can't golf.

Can't read.

Can't think about anything besides basketball.

"I don't have any hobbies," the Suns fourth-year coach says. "This is it. I don't really relax. I just lay in a coma somewhere. I can't focus on a lot of stuff. If I didn't enjoy it or if the team became a pain, it might be different. But this is fun."
He knows what's at stake. For the first time in three seasons, the Suns are healthy entering the postseason. All the pieces appear to be in place, which means after advancing to the Western Conference finals two straight seasons, the Suns are a championship favorite.

Competitive fire. Excitement. Sure, that's all part of it.

But don't leave out: sense of urgency.

This won't last forever.

First and foremost, because Steve Nash is 33, and has a back so bad he can barely sit down for extended periods. At some point, he will presumably break down, and the fun will come to an end. No one knows when. But whatever the doctors told Mark Cuban about that was convincing enough that Dallas opted not to re-sign Nash when Phoenix made him a free agent offer.

Let's assume, however, because who wants to think about Nash breaking down, that he plays on forever.

Still there are compelling reasons to lie awake at night.

Yes, this roster is more settled than almost any in the NBA. All the key players are locked up for quite some time. Kurt Thomas can opt out this summer, sure. James Jones has another year.

But ... Shawn Marion is the worry. A strong candidate for defensive player of the year, and often the Suns' leading scorer, Marion has just one more year season before he can opt out, and the sense is that he's amenable to switching teams if it might mean a chance to show all that he can do.

That's the thing about selfless, ball-sharing teams like the Suns. They don't let players scratch that ego itch, by showing how they can be the man. (Joe Johnson left under similar circumstances.)

That same thing chafes at Amaré Stoudemire. Again, quoting Haller:

The Suns center, fully recovered from microfracture knee surgery, longs to be a superstar, the go-to guy nearly every time down the court.

"If you're a dominant scorer, it's definitely tough because you want the ball in your hand, you want to be a playmaker," Stoudemire says. "It's just something you have to deal with."

How does he do it?

"I always come down before practice and play kind of in my own little zone," Stoudemire says.

"It's just me vs. an imaginary player, and I just attack it because that's what I want to do. I want to end up being a dominant player, and I want to keep that passion for it."

Take another look at those Phoenix salaries. Notice the totals at the bottom in the upcoming years. Even though Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa are bargains, those are some high salary totals for the next couple of years. With the structure as it is, is there any chance owner Robert Sarver will shell out enough to keep Marion happy too?

Now you can see why there are whispers that someone -- Marion or Stoudemire are the most likely candidates -- may be on the move. Which would mean tinkering with a major piece of a successful team. Which could mess with everything.

Which is all a very good reason for the Suns to win the title now, with plan A. Strike while the iron is hot. (Steve Nash gets it, which is why he has been putting himself through self-assigned two-a-day practices. Even D'Antoni calls him a maniac for that.)

Sorry, Coach D'Antoni. Maybe you can sleep next year.

Posted: **May 2, 2007, 11:41 pm**

Spurs baby! hell yea,the first team to advance in the second round out of the west,so we will be watching and waiting for all the other losers to catch up.We'll see yall (suns) in the next round and u better come with your full game,cause all of those (old men) are looking pretty damn good right now.

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 1:23 am**

We win in 6 or we lose... either way this team needed to go through this, we are not going to win it all this year but these guys have to learn what it is like to close someone out.

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 5:03 am**

Mavs/Warriors has definitely been the most exciting series this year, although I loved watching Chicago stomp Miami. I don't think GS or Chi will make it past the 2nd round but it's good to see teams that have had long dry stretches finally getting some good postseason action.

I really want to see the Warriors win this series, I felt like the refs gave Dallas the win in game 5. That foul call that sent Baron Davis out was bullshit, and that tech on Jackson was pretty lame too. I like Dallas, but can't stand Dirk.

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 12:37 pm**

Thread title updated for round two of the playoffs!

Playoff averages:

Amare: 24 pts, 13.6 rbs 1.4 stls, 1.8 blks

Nash: 14 assists per game

Last year: No Amare
This year: Amare, improved with defense added

Go Suns!

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 1:28 pm**

Winnow wrote:Thread title updated for round two of the playoffs!

Isn't that a little premature?

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 1:52 pm**

Sylvus wrote:
Winnow wrote:Thread title updated for round two of the playoffs!
Isn't that a little premature?

If the Raptors can pull out a win tomorrow in Jersey, I like their chances at home for game 7.

Posted: **May 3, 2007, 2:01 pm**

Sylvus wrote:
Winnow wrote:Thread title updated for round two of the playoffs!
Isn't that a little premature?

I'll switch anything that changes after tonight! There's only room for four sets of game scores in the title.

I'm looking forward to the Detroit/Chicago series. I thought Ben Wallace was washed up but after seeing him play against Miami I've changed my opinion. He's going to be on a mission vs Detroit. Ben is the only center that I've seen manhandle Shaq. I still remember the block on Shaq a year ago that sent Shaq to the ground. He made his free throws as well this year late in the game vs Miami! I think this series will be closer than the general consensus feels.

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 1:18 am**

Jackson is out of his fucking mind

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 2:12 am**

Wow, that was almost hard to watch in the 4th quarter. Golden State destroyed Dallas. The Mav players were done before the 4th quarter started.

Great job Warriors. Grats Pherr! Good luck next year Cart, maybe after a team shakeup of sorts (hint: trade Dirk!)

Nash was robbed of the MVP this year.

Now, Houston's having troubles but if they survive, I think they'll take Golden State. I'm not so sure about Utah. I kind of hope Golden State makes it to the WCF now to take on Phoenix!

The Warriors are a bit banged up. Baron's hammy, and same with Barnes?

I actually do feel a little bad for the Mavs. Cuban's got to break this team up. They're too soft, especially Dirk. Get a hard nosed forward and maybe a Center for him.

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 2:24 am**

UN BEE LEAVE ABLE

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 2:50 am**

That was painful to watch. The Mavs weren't just beaten, they were shamed.

Baron Davis is on one leg, and you're basically being defended by four guys and you can't get a shot off?

I think the Warriors can do really well in the next round, and I'm looking forward to watching it... but nowhere near how much I'm looking forward to the MVP trophy being presented to Dirk... in street clothes. Can you spell A-W-K-W-A-R-D ?

Matt Barnes is now my very favorite player in the NBA.

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 3:21 am**

noel wrote: Matt Barnes is now my very favorite player in the NBA.

He probably played a 2 million dollar game tonight, literally.

Posted: **May 4, 2007, 1:39 pm**

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270503009

Vid for Noel with Barnes dunking over Dirk with a sore hammy, can't seem to find a picture

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 1:59 pm**

LOL at the Rockets.

Hey China: If Yao is so damn good, how come he can't get his team out of the first round against... Utah?!?! You guys keep voting him into the All-Star game though. He certainly DESERVES to be the lead vote recipient.

Jeff Van Gundy has so much confidence in them, he's decided to... retire.

I'm getting ready to watch the Cavs lose to the Nets. Sadly it looks like that means Chris Webber will likely be in the Finals which means I'll be rooting for likely Phoenix. GS kicks ass, but I don't think they're *that* ready yet, especially if BD is playing on a broken stick.

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 2:40 pm**

so much for my easy path to the playoff plans for Phoenix! Utah will be much more of a challenge than Houston would have been to the Suns.

I'm not giving up on Chicago although that first game wasn't a good start!

In a few hours we'll see how focused the Suns are. They can't be losing game one to a team like the Spurs. The Lakers they could toy with but not a team with the best coach in the NBA. (Papovich > Zen Master)

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 2:43 pm**

You need to get by San Antonio first. I think you will get by them, but I don't think it will be easy at all.

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 2:49 pm**

noel wrote:You need to get by San Antonio first. I think you will get by them, but I don't think it will be easy at all.

Oh I know. This series is for all the marbles : )

The Spurs won't let 9 seconds run off the clock like Houston did at the end of the game. The top three teams left are the Suns, Spurs and Detroit. Detroit doesn't count through as they have the curse on their team. (Webber)

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 7:58 pm**

I was really impressed with the Cavs not really having a letdown in the first game of the series against the Nets. I really don't see anyone in the Eastern Conference stopping the Pistons, but at least a CLE/DET series will be fun to watch.

As far as the Suns go... they really needed that game, and it sucks the way they lost it. They're not out of it by any means, but this is going to be a REALLY challenging series for them. In the past couple years, SA has had a lot of their stars hampered by injuries, but that doesn't seem to be the case this year. This is going to be quite the challenge.

Posted: **May 6, 2007, 9:46 pm**

It's going to be a good series.

Nash looked a mess after the collision with Parker. I can't believe he managed to hit a three pointer before the blood stared dripping again.

It took guts to stay on the sidelines trying to get the blood stopped. That was a serious cut. There was blood everywhere.

I don't count home court for much in this series. Both teams can win on the other's court. Good game IMO. Amare got called for a foul he didn't commit but it didn't impact the game (except for the T the assistant coach got for complaining)

Not having Nash for the last two minutes of the game hurt. I hope he's OK for next game. He may look all black-eyed and have an ugly bandage on his nose.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 10:38 am**

Nash obviously isn't the MVP for the Suns, or his teammates would have called a time out to get him back into the game.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 11:33 am**

Boogahz wrote:Nash obviously isn't the MVP for the Suns, or his teammates would have called a time out to get him back into the game.

Were you watching? His nose looked a big red oozing tampon. He really should have been off the court getting some stitches.

Damn HD! You could see the blood running out while he was on the court. There's no way the ref could let him play like that. Most players need to be spotless with no blood but Nash's bandage was soaked in blood. hehe.

I had a dream about Tim Duncan last night. It wasn't a nightmare though! It's hard to hate Duncan. He's a class act. He can get a little whiny on calls but who doesn't in the NBA these days? You have to. He's extremely aware of what's going on around him. You can see it in his eyes.

Tony Parkers little runner flip shot makes me want to punch him in the face! I hate that shot! It always goes in.

This series will be 2-2 at some point. I can't see anything beyond that in my crystal ball.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 11:41 am**

Winnow wrote:
Boogahz wrote:Nash obviously isn't the MVP for the Suns, or his teammates would have called a time out to get him back into the game.

Were you watching? His nose looked a big red oozing tampon. He really should have been off the court getting some stitches.

From what I saw, they had the bleeding back "under control" with time left, and Nash was at the scorer's table waiting to enter the game.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 12:07 pm**

Boogahz wrote:
Winnow wrote:
Boogahz wrote:Nash obviously isn't the MVP for the Suns, or his teammates would have called a time out to get him back into the game.

Were you watching? His nose looked a big red oozing tampon. He really should have been off the court getting some stitches.
From what I saw, they had the bleeding back "under control" with time left, and Nash was at the scorer's table waiting to enter the game.

It really wasn't. At least on a 10 foot HD screen it wasn't. He ran right back to the bench and still had blood sseping out the sides and it got worse again. I haven't seen any other player with that serious of an injury stay on the bench and try to get back into a game. It's amazing he managed to play for the little bit he did and hit the three pointer.

Best headline for game one:

Spurs draw first blood

Man, Nash's nose looks like Hannibal Lecter just had a snack.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 1:36 pm**

Winnow? Yeah, I like the old Pistons logo where it's just the word "Pistons" on that basketball. Very old school looking. You like?

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 2:24 pm**

Leonaerd wrote:Winnow? Yeah, I like the old Pistons logo where it's just the word "Pistons" on that basketball. Very old school looking. You like?

Don't get overconfident!

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 4:37 pm**

By the way, I'm going to the game tonight in a suite.

50 yard line.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 4:51 pm**

Leonaerd wrote:By the way, I'm going to the game tonight in a suite. 50 yard line.

Do you know anything about basketball? There is no 50 yard line.

Posted: **May 7, 2007, 5:34 pm**

Nash's nose was MVP of the game for San Antonio. I was watching on a small tv with crappy reception and it still looked hideous. Looks like San Antonio won playing Suns-style bball, at first glance, since I was writing an article during the game and was on deadline and could only afford a peak every few minutes. I did get to watch the last 5 minutes or so uninterrupted.

I still think SA needs to steal 2 in order to win this series in 6. I think suns will steal one at SA. Spurs cant win in 7 at phoenix, but who knows.

Posted: **May 8, 2007, 12:56 am**

Halftime and I am exhausted... I need a double espresso just to get ready for the second half! This is fun basketball

W's- 66
Jazz- 63

Posted: **May 8, 2007, 3:15 am**

Look for the Suns and Warriors to bounce back in game two!

Posted: **May 8, 2007, 3:59 am**

Boogahz wrote:
Leonaerd wrote:By the way, I'm going to the game tonight in a suite. :) 50 yard line.

Do you know anything about basketball? There is no 50 yard line.

IT ZWAR A JAOKE. I figured it wouldn't need explaining, but apparently my general sports fanaticism isn't yet known by many!

Winnow, I was just starting to get sick of seeing your avatar so often! Good thing.

Posted: **May 8, 2007, 10:19 am**

Winnow wrote:Look for the Suns and Warriors to bounce back in game two!

I agree. I expect there to be some adjustments by the Jazz and Spurs, but neither team can be happy with the margin of victory. Though the Jazz won, the entire game played into the hands of the Warriors. Don Nelson needs to really hammer into his guys that fouling out is NOT a good thing.

Posted: **May 9, 2007, 3:09 am**

Suns 101
Spurs 81

Series tied 1-1

Amare woke up tonight in the second half. That and shutting down Tony Parker will win this series for the Suns.

Nashty was robbed of his third MVP. Magic Johnson was even calling Dirk out tonight.

Go go Kurt "Crazy Eyes" Thomas.

The Suns need to steal one back down in San Antonio (third game isn't until Saturday..long wait). If they do, I think it will be a buzzer beater finish.

Anyways.

Game One: Game was tied with 20 minutes to go, Nash out final minutes of the game with bloody nose.

Game Two: Phoenix up by 20 points with 2 minutes to go.

I think the Suns are OK if Nash doesn't rip open his stitches. They've got a good thing going isolating Duncan on Nash. It would be nice if Boris hit some of his shots. He was 2-7 but he did step up his game a bit and became a little more aggressive. Getting Duncan into foul trouble is key, just as it is for the Spurs to do the same to Amare.

Amare 27pts 9rbs, 6 dunks tonight (first game zero dunks, 20 pts)

Marion and Bell did their job on defense.

I hope they stick to this game plan.

Posted: **May 9, 2007, 7:04 pm**

Suns played great ball last night, here's to hoping my W's do the same tonight!

Posted: **May 10, 2007, 10:28 pm**

last night hurt

Posted: **May 10, 2007, 10:34 pm**

i thought it was over when Derek Fisher stepped out onto the court. That was like something out of a bad sports movie. The crowd went ape shit. Good timing with Dee Brown getting hurt, that looked painful. Hope he's ok

I'm still pissed at the Warriors, but watching them and Utah go at it is entertaining as hell.

Posted: **May 10, 2007, 11:19 pm**

We are seeing some good ball this playoff. I was watching when Nash's nose got hamburgered, and I'm amazed he stayed in. That is one tough motherfucker. He hit the SA guy so hard there was a huge knot on that dude's forehead.

VeeshanVault

Greg Oden found to be 48 Years Old