As a fourth generation Portlander, I have stoked that the Blazers are back in the postseason after an extended absence. Prior to this six year year drought, the longest current streak in the NBA, they had a 21 year streak of playing in the playoffs. I was at this rally. After looking closely at those photos, I actually think I may have found myself among the crowd of approx. 15,000.
I’m happy for Portland, too. Good God, if Oden can get/stay healthy there will be one crazy rivalry between the Blazers and Lakers. Bynum v. Oden, Kobe v. Roy. Ariza v. Fernandez.
A couple years ago when Miami played the Pistons in the playoffs, the calls Wade got were ridiculous. We couldn’t come near him. It was ugly to watch.
Chicago upsets Boston in overtime in the first game of the playoffs. Even without Garnett, I didn’t see that coming. If this is sign of things to come, the playoffs will be very fun to watch.
Ugh, I can’t watch the first game of the Mavs/Spurs series. Still, I’m going to watch this one going forth. I like the Mavs in this series.
I’m diggin this Portland crowd.
Yao had 16 points in the first quarter? I might have to watch this.
I’ll come back to post about my Denver Nuggets. Love this team, and so will America once they see them and learn about them.
Best bench in the NBA.
Three out of four away teams win on the first day, wow thats gotta be a first.
NBA.com’s got a pretty cool feature up now where you can select your favorite playoff highlights of all time and make you own top 5 highlight reel, cool stuff
Watching this Hornets/Denver game is depressing.
What do mean never ending. The Pistons lost today. The playoffs are over.
Hedo! Nice of you to show up today. That series is looking like a 7 gamer.
As for the Cavs, right now their only enemy in the East is themselves.
Ugh…sad to be a Piston’s fan these days, indeed. I’m not sure if Rasheed even showed up that series. He might have sent a doppelganger.
I’m not sure if Rasheed is washed up or just didn’t care. A little of both, I think.
Word is Rasheed is considering retirement. Could the Iverson thing have worked out any worse?
Rasheed needs to go away or sign for the vet’s minimum. I can’t see anybody paying him after his one-fourth-assed peformance against the Cavs—the only guys showing up in that series were the young bucks, anyhow (Stuckey and Bynum, especially, though McDyess played quite well too. And, although I can’t believe it, Kwame. Who knew?).
I still like AI—that 6ers team was a joy. Hopefully he assumes a Jason Terryesque role next season on a decent squad. Pistons were just broke down all year. Sad way to end that six year run of excellence.
Iverson was just an expiring contract in order to rebuild the team, i honestly don’t think the Pistons would have done much better this year even if they didn’t make that trade. They might have taken the Cavs to 5, maybe 6. At least they have a shot at making a play at some younger talent now. Theres really no way to know how the Iverson thing will work out for several years, but personally i feel it was a sound move.
Nuggets put a beating on the Hornets. A record 58 point win. Maybe they will provide a challenge the Lakers in the West.
I’m so Amazed with what Billups has done for this team. I was really upset when we salary-dumped Camby (our only defender) and even a bit angry when we traded AI for Chauncy but man, what a teammate. One on one, AI beats Billups like he stole his girlfriend but as key component to a winning team, Billups is up there with the best. And we’re actually playing solid defense thanks to Anderson and Jones. I don’t know how we’ll fare against the Lakers, but as long as the powers in charge don’t go all Broncos on us and trash everything, I think we’ll be a legit finals contender for a few years to come.
I feel for you folks in Detroit. Hey, there’s always Hockey, right…?
There was a good article I read which argued that Detroit had become complacent and were trying to get by on their reputation, and because of that you can’t read too much into Billups’ performance in Denver because he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder now that he didn’t have in Detroit.
The Pistons have the most money to spend this offseason and will probably be a drastically different team, which is nothing out of the ordinary for them. Their 2001-02 starting lineup that won 50 games: Chucky Atkins, Jerry Stackhouse, Michael Curry, Ben Wallace and Clifford Robinson. They transformed their lineup with a bunch of hardworking castoffs and won a title in 2004. Right now it looks like the only player assured of staying is Rodney Stuckey.