2009 NBA Playoffs thread

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by lamexican

COngrats, to Phil, Kobe, Derrick and all the Laker organization, and the fans.

Ditto here. You have to give them credit. One word describes them-resiliency. Denver should have beaten them but couldn't put them away. Orlando looked good at times, but only at times. Poise, execution, confidence. Those three things have a big bearing when you get to the whole bag of marbles. And then it's also staying focused and having that long time playoff experience. That's why the Lakers have been so successful. And then there is the 4th quarter, and the Lakers put that sports car into high gear. And then cruise control.

Props to the Los Angeles Lakers.

[Mathguy]

Gratz to the Lakers. They have an impressive team put together. Barring injuries they will be a major factor for years to come.

It will be curious to see what moves teams like Orlando and Denver etc. make this year.

[CaliDude1]

Congratulations to the Lakers organization. Four years ago they finished 34-48 and missed the playoffs. This season they finished 65-17 and won the title. What a heck of a rebound in such a short period of time! Mitch and Phil have to be recognized for taking other teams' misfits (Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown) and molding them into valuable parts of the Lakers machine. And who can forget the blockbuster deal bringing Pau Gasol to Los Angeles.

On another note I was very impressed with Dwight Howard in his post game interview. He had great perspective and had no problem giving the other side credit. He was humble and has a great attitude. He is a young player. His game is still very raw in a lot of ways. With his attitude and work ethic I have no doubt that he will lift that trophy at least once (maybe more) before his career is over.

[Just One of the Guys]

With the Lakers winning the title, what I think about is it's basically the same team that lost the title last year to the Celtics. On the active roster, I think only Shannon Brown was not on last years team. Now we have to just keep Trevor and Lamar. This could potentially be another 3-Peat!

[JL]

I think the Rockets and Blazers can overtake the Lakers next year. There are questions for the Rockets, but i like their chances if the Rockets get a good backup center and T-Mac recovers fully from knee surgery. The Blazers really only lack a defensive perimeter stopper. They should see if Raja Bell is available. If Oden can develop a 10-12 ft jumper over the summer, he is gonna be dangerous. He is a defensive gem already.

One thing about the Magic. I always sad back when the Rockets didn't pick Rashard Lewis(houston boy) in the draft years ago. Now, I'm kinda glad they didn't. He has no defense, granted he was much smaller than Gasol, but even when Ariza or Odom was on the offensive, Lewis couldn't do anything. He also didn't have a backup move when he couldn't shoot the 3. Basically, no other offensive move. His drive towards the basketball looked awkward like he's never done it before.

I think Ariza will be gone. He will get big $$$ money elsewhere being that this is gonna be his first big contract. Odom is more likely to stay though. It would be funny if Ariza signed with the Cavs.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by JamesLang

I think the Rockets and Blazers can overtake the Lakers next year. There are questions for the Rockets, but i like their chances if the Rockets get a good backup center and T-Mac recovers fully from knee surgery. The Blazers really only lack a defensive perimeter stopper. They should see if Raja Bell is available. If Oden can develop a 10-12 ft jumper over the summer, he is gonna be dangerous. He is a defensive gem already.

One thing about the Magic. I always sad back when the Rockets didn't pick Rashard Lewis(houston boy) in the draft years ago. Now, I'm kinda glad they didn't. He has no defense, granted he was much smaller than Gasol, but even when Ariza or Odom was on the offensive, Lewis couldn't do anything. He also didn't have a backup move when he couldn't shoot the 3. Basically, no other offensive move. His drive towards the basketball looked awkward like he's never done it before.

I think Ariza will be gone. He will get big $$$ money elsewhere being that this is gonna be his first big contract. Odom is more likely to stay though. It would be funny if Ariza signed with the Cavs.

Already betting against them next season... they simply can't win over some people I guess.

I wouldn't be so quick to bet on Ariza leaving. It's definitely possible, but knowing how much Buss has paid in the past for luxury taxes he might just sign them both. He's been known to do it, and he stated earlier this season that he'd pay the extra taxes to keep a championship team together. We'll see if he ends up backing down on his promise (which would be somewhat unusual for him). I'm guessing they try to sign Odom for 3 years at around $8 million per year (possibly with a no-trade clause for more incentive) and Ariza for 4-5 years for around $6-7 million/year.

Not that this means anything, but Ariza and Odom both love LA, with Ariza growing up in the area and Odom having a couple businesses located there. I think they'd both consider less money to stick around and be contenders. Not to mention Odom is eligible for a no-trade clause, which would give him more incentive to take less money, since only the Lakers could offer it to him. Ariza knows all too well how it is to end up in a system that is unsuitable to his talents, having been in New York and Orlando. We'll see if he's learned the value of finding a system that has helped him flourish - and if he's willing to gamble on leaving it for a bigger pay day. Money does have a way of overruling all of that though. I still like LA's chances of resigning them both.

But I also agree that other teams in the west are making ground on the Lakers. What you have to keep in mind is that even though those teams could improve with practice and experience, so can the Lakers (Bynum can still improve a lot, which I'm sure they're betting on, as can some of their other young guys). So I think you still have to give the Lakers the edge next season.

[JL]

No question the Lakers have the edge going into next season after winning one. I like the prospects of the Rockets..then again..i'm a Rockets fan. It will be interesting to see what kind of trades occur this summer as well as free agent signings.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by JamesLang

No question the Lakers have the edge going into next season after winning one. I like the prospects of the Rockets..then again..i'm a Rockets fan. It will be interesting to see what kind of trades occur this summer as well as free agent signings.

I got the sense that the Rockets could go further without McGrady this year. Do you think they should try and trade him for a solid all around player, and maybe another big? I'm not sure who they'd get, but I think they could get a more dependable player who is not so injury prone.

You thinking they'll keep Artest?

[JL]

Originally Posted by Ludachris

I got the sense that the Rockets could go further without McGrady this year. Do you think they should try and trade him for a solid all around player, and maybe another big? I'm not sure who they'd get, but I think they could get a more dependable player who is not so injury prone.

You thinking they'll keep Artest?

I'm sure they wouldn't mind trading T-Mac, but there is so much uncertainty about his knee right now. On the local radio here, someone said he is progressing nicely after surgery 4 months ago to be ready to start the season, but i think he should wait till January. The problem is that even if the Rockets wanted to trade him, there aren't many takers cuz he is like 'damaged' goods right now. Also, he is due $23 million this coming season, so it is hard to get another quality player(s) to even the financial terms out. I do think Artest is staying with Houston. I don't see many teams out there willing to take a risk with his behavior. He is unpredictable, thus hard for him to sign elsewhere, much less someplace willing to give him a nice raise. He earned $7.x million this past season. He has a very nice relationship with Adelman which is why he came to Houston in the first place. They have some special bond...maybe that's why Adelman lets him take unadvised shots at times... . He has more positives than negatives though for the Rockets.

The Rockets are in need of not just a backup center to fill up Yao's minutes, but i personally think they need a GOOD center, one that can potentially be a starter. I am hoping that they find one and limit Yao's regular season minutes to about 25 per game. The dream would be to get a starter who can play both center and forward. There is a local kid(played high school ball) who currently plays for the Bobcats(Emeka Okafor). He is more of a power forward, but plays as center with a decent turnaround game and short jumper along with shot blocking and tight defense. I'm sure the Rocket fans would love to see him in a Rockets uniform. Plus, he plays well defensively against the Lakers... Either get him or Marcus Camby who is a bit old, but very good defensively. Both players averaged 10 rebounds/game which is a big plus!

You can bet that the Rockets will pursue DWade(free agent) after next season unless T-Mac miraculously recovers and takes the Rockets to the title. They might also look for one bigger pt guard to help out Brooks. I think Kyle Lowry will eventually be traded.

[Ludachris]

Well, Camby might just be available when the Clippers take this new kid in the draft. Kaman might be a good pickup too now that I think about it. Okafor would be great, but he'd be tough to get I would think. I was really impressed with the Rockets play this your in the post season. I think if they could make one good move, they'd be really strong for a while. I just don't know exactly what that move would be.