The Lakers needed an active perimeter defender. They should have never let Trevor Ariza get away.
This the NBA Playoff thread, not the NBA offseason thread. Let’s talk about the teams still in the race. 
I really like Dallas, but I’m worried that all this time off might hurt them. I want Dirk to get his ring.
With the Celtics out now, I’m also rooting for Dallas. The time off should help them, since they have a lot of guys who are of advanced age (Dirk, Kidd, etc.). This sounds strange, but I think Dallas has a good chance to beat OKC, but I actually think OCK might present the tougher matchup for Miami.
I hope it’s not not lost on anybody that LeBron scored the last 10 points in that game last night even though he probably got away with a walk on that breakaway dunk. The Celtics were banged up and couldn’t rise to the challenge, but that was a very strong performance by Miami. I also think Kobe Bryant might be the happiest guy outside of Miami today- Shaq’s not going to get another championship.
Here’s hoping the Bulls close out Atlanta tonight and that Memphis can recover to at least make a decent finish to their series. We’re looking at two very interesting conference finals.
That’s because Dallas likes to slow the pace down and wait until someone is open unlike Miami who doesn’t care if anyone is open, they just throw the ball in the hole or draw a foul trying to. OKC has no chance because the Mavs won’t forget the rhythm they had against the Lakers, how could they forget, they used it against the Lakers and it worked… I hadn’t noticed anything spectacular about OKC as far as a team goes, they would show the Heat more challenge though because they have the energy to.
The real series is going to be Chicago vs Miami… Bull beats the Heat in all 3 of their regular season games and they have energy and speed and some big enough people to keep Wade and James on the court instead of flying (literally) to the basket. All three regular season games were close though (4 point margin max) and I noticed that they tend to play just to get by instead of being explosive like Miami. My point is they have way more potential than what they already show and Miami may just bring it out, the Bulls might lose their first one but they will adjust quickly. Even if they do lose the series, it’s going to game 6 or 7… Of course if they beat Atlanta tonight or Saturday…
I don’t see the West winning the Finals either way it goes
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I just hope Chicago gets eliminated as soon as possible; otherwise I don’t care who wins. It would be terrible having Chicago win and all the hometown fans mocking me for being a Lakers fan. Misery loves company, as they say.
I just want anyone except Lebron to win. And I mean that literally. The Heat could win, as long as Lebron suffers some season ending injury before the series starts or something.
OKC-Memphis get a Game 7 to find out who will get beat by Dallas.
At this point i give Memphis a shot against anybody.
So, barring a ridiculous comeback, looks like the Grizzlies’ run has come to an end.
It’s an I-35 series for the West Conf Championship.
Funny, too, cause there’s both a lot of rivalry and some fellow feeling between Dallas and OKC as cities in general. Should make for some great animosity between these two teams and their fans.
It’s 4th quarter right now and Miami is down by 9 so anything can happen but I would be shocked to see the Heat win this one. Bulls defense is incredible right now and their offense is great, I don’t see how the Heat can win this series. The Bulls bench can play any teams front line. Lebron should have went to the Bulls, why go somewhere that already has a great offense player, he should have chose a better defense team because he has and can create offense anywhere he goes. Now the Heat is down by 14. The Heat seem dumbfounded since they can’t drive to the basket.
Go Bulls 
Awesome job Chicago, 3 more!
I cannot wait to hear the smug voice of Colin Cowherd tomorrow. In another thread, he was named by many as a sports talk show host people can’t stand. He’s a front runner and a contrarian, and while that works for him and works for listeners who happen to be of the right teams that he would actually cover, even his fans should be able to tell he’s got a smarmy attitude that makes him easy to hate. He wants Lebron to win because it would piss people off, his whole Lebron schtick is based off that as he readily admits. 3 more games and both him and Lebron gets their Decision bullshit thrown back in their faces
I’m going to be so pissed if Boozer’s salary means we lose Taj Gibson next year.
Russell Westbrook should be fined whenever he has a possession where he doesn’t pass the ball.
Heh, Dirk had more free throw points than the Thunder’s bench had total points.
Miami ties the series. I hope the Heat win and Dirk can have his revenge and a ring.
Why does TNT go to those odd court views so often, and then stay on them?