Celtics vs. Magic..

[Fpoonsie]

:lmao

Why the FUCK did they keep feeding it to Rashard for the 3? Before the inbound pass, I thought "Watch. Lewis is gonna shoot this shit for who-tha-fuck-knows-what reason..."

[NewJerSpur]

Orlando needs to keep putting the pressure on the Celtics in the paint and not settle for the outside jumper if it isn't there.

[DJ Mbenga]

looks like ray wont be getting the MLE. damn say all the contenders!

[LnGrrrR]

So, what can we take from this game?

Sheed plays well on DHo.

Orlando's bench can handle the Celtics bench, but both are playing well.

DHo is going to get fouled hard and often throughout the series.

[lefty]

Finley's bench warming skills have really helped the Celtics

Fuck you Buford

[NewJerSpur]

:lmao

Why the FUCK did they keep feeding it to Rashard for the 3? Before the inbound pass, I thought "Watch. Lewis is gonna shoot this shit for who-tha-fuck-knows-what reason..."

Ridiculous. He didn't have it going all game...it's not like Game 1 of last year's ECF or something. He played like hot garbage, mentally and physically.

[NewJerSpur]

So, what can we take from this game?

Sheed plays well on DHo.

Orlando's bench can handle the Celtics bench, but both are playing well.

DHo is going to get fouled hard and often throughout the series.

Sheed is playing smart against D-Ho because he knows he outmatched physically I think. Pulling-the-chair (ala Rick Mahorn) was genius and so were the hard fouls when he was out of position. Dwight is getting flustered.....he needs to stop bailing on offense and work his way to the rim when he's given the ball in the post against anyone not named Perkins.

[Cane]

Dwight Howard's the worst "best big man in the league" of all time.

[HarlemHeat37]

-Howard needs to play like he did during the regular season..he didn't even TRY any counter-moves in this game, which is the opposite of how he played during the regular season..he used the glass, he used spins, he used drop-steps..he needs to man up and stop letting Wallace and Perkins get in his head..

-SVG needs to keep running the offense through Carter and Nelson..they both penetrated at will, although Nelson has to make better decisions..it opens up the offense for everybody..

-Orlando has to adjust to the screens off the ball..Boston killed them with Allen coming off screens and KG coming off screens for jump shots..

-Can Rondo be more effective?..he had trouble scoring in the paint with Howard there..

-Boston should continue running it through Pierce, he's by far their best isolation option in this series..Orlando doesn't have anybody that can guard him..I wouldn't double him, so Orlando will just have to live with him..

[NewJerSpur]

Pietrus does the best job against Pierce, but he isn't going to be seeing a ton of minutes with the rotations Stan has run to this point. The Magic are going to have to play better team defense on him, but he's still going to get his.

[TampaDude]

Even more than Robinson?

Call me when DH has 2 rings. :lol

[Giuseppe]

Even more than Robinson?

Luva in killer mode of a Sunday afternoon.

[Fpoonsie]

Even more than Robinson?

Woah, woah, woah.

Well, looks like that unspoken truce has met its abrupt, yet inevitable end.

...ya dick.

[Cane]

Woah, woah, woah.

Well, looks like that unspoken truce has met its abrupt, yet inevitable end.

...ya dick.

:lol

[21_Dickings]

Luva in killer mode of a Sunday afternoon.

Definitely.

The last kill he gets tonight is that of his back when he tries to handle that fat, burrito eating bitch of his in bed later this evening.

[ogait]

So, what can we take from this game?

Sheed plays well on DHo.

Orlando's bench can handle the Celtics bench, but both are playing well.

DHo is going to get fouled hard and often throughout the series.

Orlando has a much better bench its amazing how good Wallace, Allen and Davis are doing so far.

[Giuseppe]

Definitely.

The last kill he gets tonight is that of his back when he tries to handle that fat, burrito eating bitch of his in bed later this evening.

I done told him, I said: "Luva, go back and fuck Dicklings mother some more."

[mogrovejo]

Sheed has been frustrating Howard for years. Post defense is the part of his game that hasn't declined, he's still as big and as smart as he was 5 years ago.

[Capt Bringdown]

Orlando's destiny was sealed years ago when they decided to pay Rashard Lewis max money.

Celtics look like they're ready to win this year. Garnett gets another ring - UGH!

[redzero]

Dammit, I missed the game.

I'm starting to think the Celtics will beat the Lakers in the Finals.

EDIT: Fixed.

[Fpoonsie]

Dammit, I missed the game.

I'm starting to think the Celtics will be the Lakers in the Finals.

That'd be quite a trick...

[TD 21]

-Howard needs to play like he did during the regular season..he didn't even TRY any counter-moves in this game, which is the opposite of how he played during the regular season..he used the glass, he used spins, he used drop-steps..he needs to man up and stop letting Wallace and Perkins get in his head..

I know you're a Howard/Magic fan, but if they lose this series it will be because of his inability to take over games offensively when being played one-on-one. Even the greats, for the most part, have a player or two who give them fits, but for him to be this inept and inefficient offensively is inexplicable.

The Celtics are basically saying to him (as Van Gundy and Jackson touched on), "We don't think you can beat us" and his response is to constantly complain and show them that they're getting under his skin and into his head.

Granted, he's already made a finals appearance, but this guy jut smacks of loser to me. His body language every time he's not playing against an undersized, helpless defender that he can bully or solely rely on his physical tools against, is horrible. It's as if he thinks it's his birth right for everyone to allow him to dunk at will, run a mock and smile fifty times and when he runs into a team like the Celtics, who are equipped to guard him one-on-one, he folds.

[HarlemHeat37]

I agree..being a Magic fan doesn't really change that, I fully recognize that he played an extremely poor game on the offensive end, as is often the case when he goes up against Perkins and Wallace..he deserves a large part of the blame for the loss today, as does SVG for continuing to force it to him, at least IMO(some people will disagree and say it was a good move though, depends how you look at it)..

Orlando obviously won't win the series if Howard doesn't play better offensively..a lot better..

I'm actually not that big of a Dwight Howard fan, I just defend him because of the many misconceptions here..

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't have anything invested in the Magic, just want to see Carter win a ring..

Shouldn't be calling anybody a faggot after what OG has been telling us about your ass:lol..

[NewJerSpur]

The next step for Dwight, imo, has to be to develop a consistent form of offensive shot around the rim (not the sweeping hook or the lefthanded shotput). It's what made Ewing a unique big as he lost more and more of his athleticism. He may not ever have the range Ewing had and won't shoot like him mechanically, but he's got to adopt some type of jumper (similar to the one he uses on bank shots) with enough touch to allow him to pull up over defenders he can't outbang in the post (Perkins, Shaq) so they can't just settle down and commit to one mode defensively.

[NewJerSpur]

McGrady should've stayed in Toronto.....Marbury should've stayed in Minnesota.

[Roxsfan]

The next step for Dwight, imo, has to be to develop a consistent form of offensive shot around the rim (not the sweeping hook or the lefthanded shotput). It's what made Ewing a unique big as he lost more and more of his athleticism. He may not ever have the range Ewing had and won't shoot like him mechanically, but he's got to adopt some type of jumper (similar to the one he uses on bank shots) with enough touch to allow him to pull up over defenders he can't outbang in the post (Perkins, Shaq) so they can't just settle down and commit to one mode defensively.

Durability aside, this is why Yao consistently owns DH and is a far superior scoring threat compared to dwight.

Orlando just sucked ass today.

[mavsfan1000]

Celtics are built for the playoffs. I don't see any good matchups for the Magic. I think the Celtics win actually.
So far, I am right. This looks like Celtics in 6.

[NewJerSpur]

Magic have favorable matchups on the perimeter, but they have to take advantage of them like they started to in the 4th quarter, and the drive-n-kick when the easier shot is at the rim has to cease. Could very well be Celtics in 6, but I wouldn't put it passed the Magic to win in the same amount of games.

[mavsfan1000]

Magic have favorable matchups on the perimeter, but they have to take advantage of them like they started to in the 4th quarter, and the drive-n-kick when the easier shot is at the rim has to cease. Could very well be Celtics in 6, but I wouldn't put it passed the Magic to win in the same amount of games.
I don't see any good matchups for the Magic in this series. Garnett is a little soft but he is guarding basically a SF. Goes right into his hands. He could use his length to bother Lewis and not get overpowered. I really think the Magic overachieved. I mean with Carter being your second best player is not a good thing. A team like the Celtics will not let a player like Carter go off on them. Perkins is perfect against post players. Congrats to the Magic for a great season but it really looks like they are overmatched.

[SomeCallMeTim]

I don't see any good matchups for the Magic in this series. Garnett is a little soft but he is guarding basically a SF. Goes right into his hands. He could use his length to bother Lewis and not get overpowered. I really think the Magic overachieved. I mean with Carter being your second best player is not a good thing. A team like the Celtics will not let a player like Carter go off on them. Perkins is perfect against post players. Congrats to the Magic for a great season but it really looks like they are overmatched.

It was just one game. Remember how terrible Boston looked in Game 3 of their ECSF series. I wouldn't read too much into 48 minutes of basketball that came down the final possessions.

Howard is a mismatch in the sense that he creates problems for a lot of Celtics offensively. C's are in a good position to mitigate him offensively with Perkins a good defender and almost always the last offensive threat on the floor (and can therefore concentrate on defending Howard).

The Magic are easily the deepest team in the league, with multiple valuable pieces at nearly every position. Even their "weak" players like Carter and Lewis are above-average players, if only barely (at least Lewis used to be, maybe not so much anymore). Gortat, Bass, Barnes, Williams, it is just sick how productive their backups and role players are.

I know depth counts for less in the postseason with tighter rotations, but it counts for something and is underrated IMO. Howard is still an MVP level player despite his flaws. Great team that still has a good shot at winning it all.

[Killakobe81]

It was just one game. Remember how terrible Boston looked in Game 3 of their ECSF series. I wouldn't read too much into 48 minutes of basketball that came down the final possessions.

Howard is a mismatch in the sense that he creates problems for a lot of Celtics offensively. C's are in a good position to mitigate him offensively with Perkins a good defender and almost always the last offensive threat on the floor (and can therefore concentrate on defending Howard).

The Magic are easily the deepest team in the league, with multiple valuable pieces at nearly every position. Even their "weak" players like Carter and Lewis are above-average players, if only barely (at least Lewis used to be, maybe not so much anymore). Gortat, Bass, Barnes, Williams, it is just sick how productive their backups and role players are.

I know depth counts for less in the postseason with tighter rotations, but it counts for something and is underrated IMO. Howard is still an MVP level player despite his flaws. Great team that still has a good shot at winning it all.

I agree but Celts only 3 wins away from the Finals now with 3 games at home and one of teh best road records ...my guess is Boston in 6 or 7

[NewJerSpur]

I don't see any good matchups for the Magic in this series. Garnett is a little soft but he is guarding basically a SF. Goes right into his hands. He could use his length to bother Lewis and not get overpowered. I really think the Magic overachieved. I mean with Carter being your second best player is not a good thing. A team like the Celtics will not let a player like Carter go off on them. Perkins is perfect against post players. Congrats to the Magic for a great season but it really looks like they are overmatched.

Length aside, KG can't stay in front of Lewis.....even Jamison was blowing by him. Lewis made some dumb plays after getting penetration that forced the Magic to have to settle for long jumpers, but I've got to believe he's going to make adjustments come Game 2.

Nelson was blowing by Rajon and whoever else they put in front of him with one dribble.....to the Celtics credit, they don't have anyone that can guard Rajon straight up either.

Ray Allen was fouling everyone that he defended one-on-one because he couldn't stay in front of them.

The biggest problem for the Magic in Game 1 is that they came off of screens and were shocked to find Boston in their passing lanes upon the ballhandler picking up his dribble, preventing spot-up shots and layups for cutters....when they forced the issue and continued to attack the basket off of those same screens there were opportunities there. They finally did this consistently to end the game and pressured the Celtics into no man's land when whoever was guarding Dwight had to come over and help whoever was driving or stay home to not allow him to get a weakside rebound/putback and give up an easy layup.

[NewJerSpur]

I agree but Celts only 3 wins away from the Finals now with 3 games at home and one of teh best road records ...my guess is Boston in 6 or 7

They've also had some pretty big letdowns at home, despite their prowess on the road. Still a ways to go.

[SomeCallMeTim]

I agree but Celts only 3 wins away from the Finals now with 3 games at home and one of teh best road records ...my guess is Boston in 6 or 7

Winning Game 1 is huge -- I think nearly 4 in 5 teams that do win the series, imagine that number may be higher when winning that Game 1 on the road.

That said, Magic only need to win 1 game on Boston's floor... and the C's have made a habit of losing games at home all season long.

Boston made themselves the favorites to win the East today, but I wouldn't call it overwhelming... 60/40 at this point IMO. We'll see how it pans out.

[j.dizzle]

Boston sucks at home, this series will go 7 now I think. Orl played the worst game they could today & were rusty as hell..They almost came back from a 20 point deficit, not a good sign for Boston the way they let teams back into games. I would just keep going at KG & Perkins, both of em are slowed down with minor injuries. Too bad Orl has a bunch of sissy players, they need to man up if they want this series. Boston tries intimidating teams with their fake thug act & I think Dwight is too mentally soft to be a leader at the moment.

[mavsfan1000]

Boston sucks at home, this series will go 7 now I think. Orl played the worst game they could today & were rusty as hell..They almost came back from a 20 point deficit, not a good sign for Boston the way they let teams back into games. I would just keep going at KG & Perkins, both of em are slowed down with minor injuries. Too bad Orl has a bunch of sissy players, they need to man up if they want this series. Boston tries intimidating teams with their fake thug act & I think Dwight is too mentally soft to be a leader at the moment.
lol Hoping for Magic I see. The Celtics own the Lakers.

[Jacob1983]

The Magic better win game 2 or they will wind up just like the Cavs did last year. I hope they do win game 2. I don't want another Celtics-Lakers Finals. Too many fuckin times.

[bostonguy]

Boston sucks at home

5-1 at home in the playoffs. I would hardly call that "sucking at home".

[Greg Oden]

bostonguy just delivered a dagger right in between j dizzle's buttcheeks. As he reads this post about something entering buttcheeks, he becomes excited and visits his favorite pictures of Gay Bears.

[Killakobe81]

Boston sucks at home, this series will go 7 now I think. Orl played the worst game they could today & were rusty as hell..They almost came back from a 20 point deficit, not a good sign for Boston the way they let teams back into games. I would just keep going at KG & Perkins, both of em are slowed down with minor injuries. Too bad Orl has a bunch of sissy players, they need to man up if they want this series. Boston tries intimidating teams with their fake thug act & I think Dwight is too mentally soft to be a leader at the moment.

I AGREE with teh above but ...winning game 1 means a lot especially when you are the more battle-tested team we'll see Magic played like crap and still almost won ...

BUT Celts played like CRAP AND DID WIN!

[mavsfan1000]

Everyone plays like crap against this shut down defensive team known as the Celtics. I don't know where this intensity was in the regular season but they have taken it to another level now. Orlando will need to do the same against the Celtics as I think this will be a low scoring series for Orlando.

[Ghazi]

Celtics kinda remind me of the 03-04 Pistons.

[21_Blessings]

The Mavericks kinda remind me of the 2007 Mavericks.

[Giuseppe]

The refs are letting the teams play defense this playoff season. You can put your hands on people and there is no accompanying whistle. This decree out of NY/Stern bodes well for Boston.

[Sportcamper]

The Celtics are playing great ball...They have too many good players...No way Gundy can match Doc as a game coach...Gundy cracks me up...He is just a cheerleader during the game & offers no insight as to how to change things around...NBA coaches need to articulate game changes...Not just Just rah rah rah, you have to want it, you have to play hard, we have to be smart....

OK Coach could you please just diagram a play?

[narmerguy]

Dwight Howard's the worst "best big man in the league" of all time.

Yep. I love the dude but he would get a nasty spanking from most of the greats that came before him. He simply has no offensive skills. It's hard to watch because I wish he was so much better...but he just isn't and I'm not sure if he has the mentality to be. He doesn't have the fire.

[Ginobilly]

Celtics kinda remind me of the 03-04 Pistons.

And the 1998-1999 San Antonio Spurs.

[j.dizzle]

bostonguy just delivered a dagger right in between j dizzle's buttcheeks. As he reads this post about something entering buttcheeks, he becomes excited and visits his favorite pictures of Gay Bears.
:lol Shut ur trap faggot. Boston isnt nearly as dominant at home compared to 2008. They blow leads like crazy, they just havent played a team yet with 3-4 legit scorers. Orl WILL win a game there. Thats why I say it'll go 7 now.