Speaking as a fan of the mighty Spurs, they don’t have the defense they became famous far and turned into more of a three point shooting team. They won 60 games with smoke and mirrors. It was a fun season but I never really had any illusions of a championship this season.
The Bulls become the second team to get into the second round. They finally looked like a #1 seed playing a #8 seed.
Would be nice to see the Hornets beat the Lakers…
Whats everyone’s take on the East?
For me, seeing the Bulls go all the way would be awesome, only thing is, I’ve only seen them play tonight for the first time, I just happened to catch them when they were on fire (3rd quarter)… How often do they play with good rhythm?
Are the Heat and Celtics pretty much an equal team as far as skill goes? That’s one series I’m looking forward to, it doesn’t really feel like the Miami’s year though.
I bet the Eastern Conference Finals will be more entertaining than the actual finals…
In the West, I’d like to see OKC and the Hornets do something…
Laker fan here. They finally seem to put it (almost) all together tonight. Not a moment too soon.
Hold on while I get my outside voice…
Wake up, Lamar!!!
OKC becomes the first West team in the second round after San Antonio pulls off a miracle against Memphis to stay alive. Denver couldn’t make their three at the buzzer. The shots by Neal and Ginobli for the Spurs at the end of regulation were amazing.
Also Miami advances. Only one East first round series is still going and only one West series is over.
I can’t wait to see Boston vs. Miami, and this is speaking as an anti-fan of both teams. I wish there was some way they can both lose but for now, I’d settle for Boston beating Miami and then getting beat by the Bulls
I think the Bulls will get better as the playoffs go on. In the last few years, the better teams seem to pick up their play as the playoffs go on, and my Lakers seem to be following that script again this year. That’s why I’m not worried by their non-sweep of the Hornet which should have gone 5 games at the most. I want them to have a bit of a test so they get better for their matchup against Dallas, or god forbid the Blazers.
Spurs pull off a miracle, but I think they’ll lose in game 6. If not, then I pick them to win game 7. Memphis has really surprised me and they would should put a serious scare into OKC if they should come out of the first round. OKC’s advantage over the Spurs would be age. They wouldn’t have that against Memphis
I don’t know who’s going to win tonight in Portland though. Both teams have issues but both teams have reasons to give it their all. I’ll flip a coin…Dallas wins!
Hawks, Lakers, and Mavs advance in Game 6s. Spurs and Grizz play Game 6 tomorrow. Can Memphis pull off the upset? I hope so.
As a Blazer fan, I’m disappointed. Gerald Wallace was great tonight. LaMarcus Aldridge was solid. It wasn’t enough. Since my team is out, I’m rooting for the Zombie Sonics AKA OKC Thunder.
Stupid Blazers…
Can’t wait for the same result next season!
I’m sort of hoping that the Lakers play Chicago in the finals so I can see them in person, no matter what the cost. It wouldn’t break my heart if the Bulls got eliminated before the finals, though.
Spurs fan here. DAMMIT! I am flashbacking…
I grew up in TX in the 70’s. They could usually do well and make the playoffs but always went out early.
I know they’ve got a few rings, but right now they’re just not doing it. And now they can not do it from their couches at home.
Sheesh. At least Dallas is still in.
LAKERS!!!
BUT… here’s my prediction. The OKC Thunder is the only team that can take Lakes in the west.
Rooting for the Grizzles.
Mavericks vs. Lakers- I predict Lakers in 6
Thunder vs. Grizzlies- Thunder in 5
Celtics vs. Heat- the hardest series to predict. I’ll say Heat in 7
Bulls vs. Hawks- Bulls in 7
This is where the playoffs get interesting. I can make some sort of case for almost any remaining team winning.
Hawks/Bulls - I’d love for the Bulls to make a run at a championship but Atlanta looked formidable in their first series. The Bulls did not. I think the Hawks win in a long series.
Heat/Celtics - I’d love nothing better than to be right in preseason when I said the Heat would go down in the second round, but I fear that I may have been wrong. The thing that stops me is that I write off the Celtics every year and they always seem to win. Long series, tossup. Celts win and Allen plays well.
Lakers/Mavs - I really want Stern to hand Cuban that damned trophy and for a while this season the Mavs looked really tough. The Lakers have better bigs though overall, and if they get anything out of Gasol/Bynum, they’ll win. Lake show in 6.
OKC/Memphis - I’m not completely sold on Oklahoma City as a title contender but I think this is a worse matchup for Memphis than SA was as I think Randolph/Gasol will be handled a bit better than SA could. Especially now that the Zombie Sonics have Perkins. It’ll be closer than I think, however. OKC, 6.
I still don’t believe in the Hawks. They are too random for me to count on them. I say Bulls in 5.
I can’t believe I’m cheering for the Celtics, so I won’t. 
I’ll simply not cheer for their opposition. Hate Lebron and his smug douchebaggery. The Celtics beat the Heat 3 times this year and Perkins didn’t play any of them. I say they still have Miami’s number so Celtics in 6.
Thunder looks impressive and the NBA is about matchups so I think despite looking good against the Nuggets, they’ll struggle a bit against a team that can match them with size. Thunder in 6.
Mavs usually disappoint and the same will happen this year. Lakers looking better as the playoffs go on so I say they take this in 5. Dallas has a horrible record against LA in Staples Center so I don’t think they’ll win any games there
Grizzlies win! Wow, unexpected. They knock off a #1 seed and take game 1 from the #4 seed. I think that no matter what happens for the rest of the playoffs for them, Memphis should be seen as a legitimate threat. They have the position players to win, 2 wing defenders in Allen and Battier, and their 2 post guys, one of whom is so far an unstoppable beast.
What does the Dope think of Dwight Howard’s future? I’ve heard a lot of people say he’s gone for sure after another early exit, and as a Lakers fan I’m kind of thrilled cause he might come to LA, but with Bynum playing so well I don’t know if I want to give him (and probably Odom or Artest) up for him. Howard’s good, but I don’t I want to give them both Bynum and Odom/Artest for him. Plus, Orlando’s GM’s saying he would never trade him, so we’d have to somehow find a way to afford Howard in 2 years when Kobe and Pau’s contracts are still on the books. Oh well, good problems to have I suppose 
Oh hell, first Memphis upsets the #1 Spurs and then takes game 1 from the Thunder, then Atlanta mini-upsets #4 Orlando and takes game 1 from the best team in the league!
I hope this upset thing isn’t about to befall my Lakers…
And Rose just looks like he turned an ankle in the last seconds of the game by stepping on the other player’s foot! Wow, stunning, absolutely stunning!
The Round Mound of Rebound just predicted the Mavs to upset the Lake Show. He said Dirk, at this stage in his career, is the best player in the series. Is Kobe washed up now? While it’s true that Kobe has been in the NBA longer, Dirk is only two months older than Kobe, so they’re basically the same age.
It did. I can’t remember this many lower seeds winning in an NBA Playoffs.
I think Miami might beat Boston more easily than I thought. They’ve looked good going up 2-0.
OKC ties it up with the Grizzlies. Memphis didn’t look like the same team.